01-29-2015

THURSDAY, JAN. 29 - SUNDAY, FEB. 1, 2015 • VOLUME 101 • ISSUE 38

SDSU Police to develop phone app • P2

Basketball updates • P4 CHADD CADY, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Falling in love to Springsteen • P10

#SEXUALASSAULT

ASHLEY QUINTERO STAFF WRITER ____________________________________

SNEAKPEEK

San Diego State recently received $200,000 for the 2015 fiscal year to help prevent and respond to sexual assaults on campus.

The grant, awarded by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, is part of the Cal OES Campus Sexual Assault Program, which focuses on creating a comprehensive coordinated response that is centered on survivors.

The program provides confidential services to assault survivors, aims to hold offenders accountable, includes prevention activities and enhances survivor safety regardless of whether or not they report the crime to law enforcement or whether they choose to participate in an investigation.

“For months administrators from across campus have been meeting to discuss the best ways to combat sexual violence on campus,” Associate Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs and Title IX Coordinator for SDSU Jessica Rentto said in a press release.

The money will allow SDSU to hire a full-time sexual assault victim advocate,

who is expected to begin working in March and will provide resources for sexual assault victims such as crisis counseling, victim advocacy, information and referrals, Rentto said.

He or she will also provide training for students, staff and faculty.

The advocate will be hired and trained through the Center for Community Solutions. According to the CCS website, the center aims to “end relationship and sexual violence by being a catalyst for caring communities and social justice.”

This will be the first time CCS partners with a university.

With an office on campus, the advocate will work closely with the Sexual Violence Task Force, Associate Executive Director of the Center of Community Solutions Edith Glassey said.

“This grant gives us the resources to do what we’ve always wanted to do— concentrate our efforts to improve services for sexual assault victims and survivors on a university campus, and expanding sexual assault prevention education for students and campus staff,” Glassey said.

Victim advocacy includes explaining victim rights; helping survivors navigate in larger systems, such as the criminal justice system; calling on behalf of survivors with written permission; making their needs known; and accompanying the survivor to any sexual assault-related activities, such as investigation interviews and court appearances.

The money will also provide for a fulltime police officer dedicated to sexual assault prevention. He or she will also help with trainings and investigations.

Recently, resident advisors of SDSU residence halls received training on

P3 Pita Pit serves its last meals DAVID HERNANDEZ, NEWS EDITOR

supporting victims and reporting a sexual assault crime.

The Greek community is participating in the Agent of Change online training program.

They have also participated in dialogues about their role in sexual assault violence and its prevention on campus, according to the press release.

Meanwhile, SDSU is in the process of developing a women’s resource center.

Center of Community Solutions will also provide its own crisis 24hour hotline and a 24-hour hospital accompaniment for students who prefer off-campus assistance, Rentto said.

Other events and activities include public briefings on topics relating to sexual violence, sexual assault awareness week, a campus climate survey relating to sexual violence, and the It’s On Us Pledge, in which students and staff members pledge to help end sexual violence.

“Sexual violence is a problem at all universities,” Rentto said. “We are hopeful that through all of our campus efforts, SDSU can stand out as a leader in this field.”

In order to participate in the Cal OES Campus Sexual Assault program, universities had to submit a proposal to Cal OES. Only two schools were selected: SDSU and California State University, Long Beach.

SDSU will also commit $66,667 of its own general funds to help with the grant activities. “(This grant) is a great opportunity to raise awareness, provide robust trainings and offer more support services to those who experience sexual violence,” Rentto said. “In doing so, we hope the overall number of incidents of sexual violence decreases.”

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SDSU will soon have an advoate and a specially trained police officer to combat sexual assault on campus.

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$200K AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT

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2 NEWS

JAN. 29 - FEB. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: DAVID HERNANDEZ • NEWS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

#SDSUPOLICE

SDSU police to develop phone app STEPHANIE SACCENTE STAFF WRITER _____________________________________ To further protect and serve students and the campus community, the San Diego State Police Department is developing a new mobile safety application that will aim to enhance the way students can communicate with the police.

The police department is working with the company 911 Cellular to create the app. Although it is still in the planning stages, SDSUPD Capt. Joshua Mays said the app, which will be free and available on all smartphones, will have a variety of functions including escort service requests, crime mapping and an emergency button and will allow users to send text message tips.

“After surveying students on campus we have found that they would rather text than talk and with the app they can report suspicious behavior by texting it in rather than calling it in,” Mays said. “Students can remain anonymous and attach a photo when they text in a tip.”

Mays said the app will also have geofencing capability, so whether students are on campus or using the app miles away, they’ll be routed to a dispatch center closest to them in an emergency situation.

Civil engineering sophomore Steve Becerra said he thinks the app will be popular among students.

“I believe a lot of students would download, and use when they feel alone

Students walk past a San Diego State Police Department patrol car. The department will launch a safety app this semster.

CHADD CADY, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

and vulnerable especially at night,” Becerra said. “I think the escort service would be utilized greatly for those who do not want to make a far walk alone, knowing that crime is prevalent on or near campus.”

SDSU isn’t the first university to have a campus safety app. Schools around the country such as Case Western Reserve University, West Virginia University and Wake Forest University have already

developed similar apps that open the line of communication between students and the police.

While some students may be interested in using the app, others, such as business marketing freshman Alex Purcell, feel that the app doesn’t add much to the current crime prevention efforts by SDSUPD. “Although I feel that the app would be cool and useful, I do not believe students will take the time to download it, let

alone use it,” Purcell said. “In my opinion the app does exactly what crime alerts already do and one can call in for an escort, so personally I am going to pass on downloading it.”

The app will not replace any of the other services the SDSU police department offers. Mays said the police department hopes to release the app, which is being funded by an Aztec parent, within the next few months.

NEWS 3

JAN. 29 - FEB. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: DAVID HERNANDEZ • NEWS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

#SMOKING

San Diego gets a ‘D’ for tobacco use JACLYN PALUMBO STAFF WRITER ___________________________________ San Diego State has recently partnered with Elite Security to better enforce the smoking ban on campus.

In cases of noncompliance with the smoking policy, guards will contact smokers on campus and provide information on the policy and resources listed on the campus website, SDSU Police Department Corporal and Community Resource Officer Mark Peterson said.

Violators of the policy are only informed, not arrested or cited.

“A few tickets would probably make a big difference,” professor of epidemiology and biostatistics Thomas Novotny said.

“It is the responsibility of the university to make sure their message is clear and that our students aren’t being exposed to what they don’t want to be exposed to.”

‘D’ GRADE FOR TOBACCO USE More than one year after smoking was banned at SDSU, the American Lung Association released its 2015 State of Tobacco Control report, giving San Diego a D grade and California an F. The report was released on Jan. 21.

In last year’s report San Diego also received a D grade, according to the ALA. The percentage of SDSU’s student body who smokes is about 10 percent, slightly lower than the percentage of the

A report found that San Diego did not have adequate control of tobacco use.

CHADD CADY, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

general population, Novotny said.

“With young people the negative effects include increased respiratory illness, more sick days, economic cost, changes to skin and complexion, teeth staining and bad smell,” he said.

California received F grades in the categories tobacco prevention and tobacco taxes, a D grade in access to cessation services and a B grade in smoke-free air, according to the ALA. Tobacco taxing is the area in which Novotny thinks California can most improve. The higher price of tobacco products facilitates quitting, Novotny said. A portion of tobacco taxes fund tobacco control programs.

Smoke free air could be further improved by regulating smoking in parking lots outside of public places and in multifamily homes, Novotny said.

“We now need to urge communities to pay attention to outdoors where nonsmokers are exposed and our environment is affected,” he said.

In addition to firsthand and secondhand smoke risks, there are studies exploring third-hand smoke risks. These risks are elevated when the residual smoke left around turns into different toxic chemicals.

“Now we know that nicotine and nicotine metabolites and other ‘aging’ compounds are found in almost all

spaces where smoking takes place,” professor of health promotion and behavioral science Melbourne Hovell said. “Particles from smoke and gases from ‘off-gassing’ when contaminants readmit into the air are clear sources of exposure even if no one is smoking at the time.”

With many public spaces at SDSU, some spaces in which smoking once occurred, third-hand smoke poses risks.

“This means that rooms or homes can become sinks or banks for (third hand smoke) contaminants and sources of exposure to people who visit the room or home or live there,” Novotny said.

As for the nation, the ALA has a 10year plan that will be optimized by 2024. The plan includes FDA and CDC interventions, targeted advertising, increased tobacco tax and widespread smoke free laws, according to the State of Tobacco Control website.

The ultimate goal is to have smoking levels drop to lower than 10 percent of the population by 2024.

On campus this Earth Day, Novotny and volunteers from the Graduate School of Public Health will participate in their annual cigarette butt cleanup.

Despite last year’s campus-wide smoking ban, the volunteers still picked up about 20,000 cigarette butts each hour, Novotny said.

The SDSU smoking ban went into effect Jan. 1, 2014, and includes smokeless tobacco and e-cigarettes.

#PITAPIT

Pita Pit set to shut down Saturday DAVID HERNANDEZ NEWS EDITOR ___________________________________ The off-campus eatery Pita Pit will no longer operate after Saturday, Jan. 31.

“We never reached our full potential here,” co-owner Ed Espinoza said. “We envisioned a lot more.”

Espinoza, who took ownership in 2010 alongside longtime friend Mathew Shaffer, said his business fought repeatedly to be added to the San Diego State meal plan but was unsuccessful, which made it difficult to maintain sales.

“Our access to campus was limited,” Espinoza said.

R.D. Williams, director of Business Development and Contract Housing for Aztec Shops, said a restaurant’s menu, location, hours of operation and price must fill a “niche not currently served by restaurants already in the (meal) plan.”

He said Pita Pit did not meet the criteria.

Espinoza believes Pita Pit was not added to the meal plan primarily because of Aztec Shops’ plans to redevelop the building.

“Whatever they have going on, it didn’t involve us in the future,” Espinoza said. “I haven’t exactly been told what is planned for this building, but the only thing I know is that as soon as we’re out of here San Diego State has free reign to do whatever they have planned for this building.”

A second phase of South Campus Plaza, which broke ground this semester, is on hold until the first phase is completed and Aztec Shops acquires more property along College Avenue.

Williams said Aztec Shops, which does

not own the Jack in the Box nor Arco gas station lots, considers property from willing sellers.

Starbucks is the only business occupying space in College Square.

Williams said Aztec Shops is considering alternative uses of space in College Square, “but no firm plans have emerged.”

Espinoza said other factors that made it difficult to operate include a lack of parking around Pita Pit for community customers and the fact that SDSU students constantly move away to live in other areas of San Diego.

However, Pita Pit did see an increase in sales since 2010, which Espinoza attributes to word-of-mouth marketing.

The eatery’s ranking on Yelp is four stars, up from two and half stars in 2010, Espinoza said.

Pita Pit manager and psychology senior Janiece Giampolo, who began working there her freshman year, said customer service was the most important aspect for Pita Pit. “Nobody wants to lose their jobs, so it sucks,” she said.

Pita Pit supported various Greek organizations as a sponsor for their events.

Giampolo said she also reached out to nearby business such as apartment complexes to promote their food.

The Pita Pit near SDSU, which first opened in 2001 as the first location in California, is the only location in San Diego. The eatery has since grown to approximately fourteen other locations in the state.

The SDSU location will close at 10 p.m. on Saturday.

• • • •

between SDSU and Downtown High frequency Limited stops All day, every day Connects to Rapid 235 and all Trolley lines

Plan your trip at

4 SPORTS

JAN. 29 - FEB. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KRISTIAN IBARRA • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

Who’sWho?

#AZTECMBB

SDSU cages the Bulldogs RAFAEL AVITABILE STAFF WRITER ____________________________

The win was SDSU’s 26th straight home victory and the 15th straight win in games immediately following a loss.

The Aztecs had four players The San Diego State Aztecs beat score in double digits for the California State University, the second game in a row, Fresno Bulldogs 58-47 on which is a feat they hadn’t yet Tuesday night at Viejas Arena accomplished this season. with 16 points from senior Quinn led the way with 16 guard Aqeel Quinn. The win, points on 4-6 shooting from along with the University of the floor and 7-10 Wyoming’s loss shooting from the to Utah State MEN’S free-throw line.

University on BASKETBALL Quinn was battling Tuesday, puts a back injury he SDSU in a tie suffered against with Wyoming Colorado State for first place in SDSU FRESNO ST. University last the Mountain Saturday and did West at 6-2 with not practice prior SDSU owning the to Tuesday night’s tiebreaker. game, according to Fisher.

The score was knotted at 19 Freshman guard Trey Kell, points with four minutes and normally a backup to Quinn thirty-three seconds left in the at the point guard spot, did first before senior forward J.J. not dress for the game due to O’Brien’s 3-pointer from the left illness, Fisher said. wing sent the Aztecs on a 13-3 Junior forward Winston scoring run to close the half.

Shepard got the Aztecs off on SDSU never let Fresno State the right foot by hitting four within 10 points throughout the of his first five shots on his entire second half of the game. way to an eight-point first half.

“We did a much better job,” Shepard finished the game with head coach Steve Fisher said.

11 points and a team-high nine “As opposed to January 3 (at rebounds, but he also turned Fresno) guarding, guarding the ball over six times. without fouling, guarding and After failing to convert on all making them feel our presence three of his first-half field goal to where they didn’t have the attempts, junior forward Angelo option to pull back and shoot Chol erupted in the second half 3-pointers. We were better with with 10 points on 4-7 shooting our help defense off of dribble from the field and came up with penetration. It was a good team two big blocks in the paint. victory.”

58

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Matthew Bain OPINION EDITOR Elpin Keshishzadeh ASST. OPINION EDITOR Anthony Berteaux ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Nick Knott ASST. ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Ryo Miyauchi FEATURES EDITOR Kelly Hillock ASST. FEATURES EDITOR Olivia Litsey PHOTO EDITOR Jenna Mackey Freshman forward Malik Pope scored three points in 17 minutes off the bench.

CHADD CADY, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

“Last game I didn’t play (well),” Chol said. “So I thought I had to make something happen today. I’ve got to help the team somehow. I was mad the past two days, three days, so I had to make something happen today and help the team.”

O’Brien notched his fourth straight double-digit scoring effort with 12 points on 4-13 shooting and 3-4 shooting from the free-throw line. He played a team-high 35 minutes.

Fresno State junior guard Marvelle Harris led all Bulldogs with 13 points on 5-12 shooting in a game-high 39 minutes.

Harris is the conference’s second leading scorer and leads his team in points, rebounds, assists and minutes per game.

Senior forward Alex Davis came close to a double-double, scoring eight points and pulling down 10 rebounds.

“The only ‘bug-a-boo’ tonight was turnovers,” Fisher said.

“Way too many turnovers.

Everything else was very, very solid.”

The Aztecs will have three days to prepare for their matchup with Utah State on Saturday. Tipoff is at 5 p.m. inside Viejas Arena.

PREVIEW

Confident Aggies come to town Before Tuesday night, many San Diego State basketball fans might not have had Saturday’s tilt against Utah State University (12-8, 5-3 Mountain West) circled on their calendar.

That was the night the Aztecs (16-5, 6-2 MW) got their revenge against California State University, Fresno, and dominated the Bulldogs (10-11, 5-3 MW) 58-47.

But that was also the night the Aggies from Logan, Utah, thrashed the firstplace University of Wyoming Cowboys (17-4, 6-2 MW) by 12 points.

Huh? The same Utah State squad that at one point lost four games in a row, including losses to lowly University of California, Davis and University of Southern California?

The same Utah State squad that barely scraped out a onepoint victory against California State University, Bakersfield — a team SDSU beat 51-27 in late November?

You bet.

USU is very similar to Dave Rice’s remarkably inconsistent

VS.

16-5 (6-2)   

RECORD 12-8 (5-3) OFFENSE  DEFENSE COACHING OVERALL

WHEN: JAN. 31, 5 P.M. WHERE: VIEJAS ARENA TUNE IN: CBS SPORTS NETWORK, 1090 AM RADIO

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (12-9, 3-5 MW) team in the fact that its roster is loaded with talented youth; three of its five top scorers, including the top two, are either freshmen or sophomores.

Young players haven’t struggled through the tempest of a long and grueling NCAA season, though; they don’t quite know what to expect game in and game out. The result?

A March-Madness-worthy performance one night and a Division-II-level showing another night.

We just saw a March-Madness

NEWS EDITOR David Hernandez

SPORTS EDITOR Kristian Ibarra

47

HEAD-TO-HEAD

MANAGING EDITOR Madison Hopkins

ASST. NEWS EDITOR Camille Lozano

#AZTECMBB

MATTHEW BAIN ASST. SPORTS EDITOR _____________________________

EDITOR IN CHIEF Monica Linzmeier

performance against Wyoming.

Nine Aggies scored. They shot 48 percent and held the Cowboys to just 36 percent. They also outrebounded, out-blocked, outstole and out-assisted the boys from Laramie.

“I know they are good, if you beat Wyoming you have to be good,” head coach Steve Fisher said after the game. “We’ll be facing an excited ball club coming in here and we will be excited too.”

DEFENSIVE KEY TO THE GAME USU kills you with efficient ball movement. If words aren’t clicking for you, consider these numbers: USU has a 1.34 assistto-turnover ratio; SDSU has a 0.85 ratio.

Junior guards Chris Smith and Darius Perkins lead the way with 3.0 and 3.6 assists, respectively.

The Aztecs have watched tape on USU, and Fisher likely gave them a significant key to stop USU’s fast-paced, pass-happy offense: utilize length to clog passing lanes. Keep the Aggies from passing efficiently and force them to play one-on-one — definitely not their strength.

There is no player shorter than 6-foot-3 in SDSU’s regular

rotation.

OFFENSIVE KEY TO THE GAME Continue feeding redshirtjunior forward Angelo Chol when he’s in. Right now Chol is splitting minutes with junior forward Skylar Spencer. Chol is much more efficient on offense than Spencer and gives SDSU its best opportunity to play insideout basketball, which Aztec players and coaches constantly say is their bread and butter.

Chol scored 10 of the Aztecs’ 26 second-half points against the Bulldogs; he also made half of the team’s second-half field goals. With Chol playing that significant a role on offense, it’s no surprise three Aztecs scored double-digits and SDSU won with ease.

The former University of Arizona Wildcat will have his hands full against USU’s big-man tandem: 6-foot-8 sophomore forward Jalen Moore and 6-8 redshirt-freshman forward David Collette. These two combine for about three blocks per game.

Student tickets for this game are sold out, but fans can watch the game at 5 p.m. on CBS Sports Network or tune in to The Mighty 1090 AM.

VIDEO EDITOR Wesley Beights DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR Kelly Gardner ART DIRECTOR Kate Leonard VOLUNTEER WRITERS Ashley Quintero Stephanie Saccente Jaclyn Palumbo Rafael Avitabile Ryan Posner Mike Heral Lilly Glenister Sarah Tanori Thane Hale Lainie Fraser Alicia Chavez Taylor Knecht Conor Nordberg VOLUNTEER PHOTOGRAPHERS Chadd Cady Connor Guy Kristian Carreon _____________________________ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Tony Disarufino SALES MANAGER Adam Zabel SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Radbeh Rabaz ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Alfonso Barajas Jordan Dennison Peyton Fedorka Sarah Richardson ACCOUNTING & CONTRACTS Michael Bratt Kim Le _____________________________ STREET TEAM Emily Alvarenga Shelby Snyder Conor Nordberg Paige Plassmeyer _____________________________ GENERAL MANAGER Jay Harn GRAPHICS SPECIALIST Chris Blakemore _____________________________

What’sWhat?

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SPORTS 5

JAN. 29 - FEB. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KRISTIAN IBARRA • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

#AZTECWBB

PREVIEW

Aztecs aim to uproot the Aggies RYAN POSNER STAFF WRITER ____________________________ The San Diego State women’s basketball team will square off against Utah State University this Saturday afternoon in Logan, Utah, in a battle that pits two struggling teams against each other.

SDSU (6-12, 3-4 Mountain West) edges Utah State with one less loss (6-13, 3-4 MW), but both teams have found greater success in conference play.

The Aztecs had their arguably most convincing win of the season on Jan. 21, trouncing Air Force Academy by a score of 7047.

In that game, redshirt-junior guard Erimma Amarikwa, freshman point guard McKynzie Fort and freshman guard Lexy Thorderson each scored in double digits to help route the Falcons.

However, the Aztecs went on to lose their next contest against Colorado State University 4936. That’s just the way this season has panned out for the women on The Mesa.

The team has yet to string together two wins in a row, without factoring in an exhibition game against Point Loma Nazarene University and California State University, Sacramento at the beginning of the season, which didn’t

HEAD-TO-HEAD VS.

6-12 (3-4)   

RECORD 6-13 (3-4) OFFENSE DEFENSE  COACHING OVERALL

WHEN: JAN. 31, 1 P.M. WHERE: SMITH SPECTRUM

count toward the team’s official record.

SDSU has a golden opportunity to get the first half of that coveted winning streak against a Utah State team that has had its own struggles this season.

While the Aggies have won three in a row, that came after a seven game losing streak.

But, the Aggies hold a 5-3 record at home, while the Aztecs are a dismal 1-6 on the road.

What will it take for the Aztecs to overcome yet another road loss?

They’re going have to score with a team that averages more points than they do with 63.9, but also gives up 71.4 points per game.

The Aztecs will need a

solid effort from their 3-point shooters, including redshirtjunior point guard Ahjalee Harvey and Thorderson, who are No. 1 and 2 respectively in 3-point attempts on the team, but have had a hard time knocking down shots.

Harvey has converted on just 23 percent of 3-point attempts, and even after her big performance against Air Force, Thorderson is shooting an even worse 17 percent.

It’s not just Harvey and Thorderson, though. As a team, the Aztecs have made 23 percent of their 3-pointers compared to 29 percent for the Aggies.

Three-point shooting won’t be the only determinant of who wins this game, but if the Aztecs want to keep up with the high scoring Aggies they will need to hit shots from beyond the arc.

If the 3-point shooting is not there it will be on Amarikwa and Fort, who have made just two 3-pointers between the two of them this season, but are the top two leading scorers on the Aztecs. Both are shooting greater than 40 percent from the field.

Last season the Aztecs went 1-1 against the Aggies, each team winning at home.

This year the Aztecs will not get a crack at Utah State at home, so they will need to make the most of their trip to Logan this season.

Sophomore guard Chloe Johnson scored 13 points vs. the Aggies last year.

CONNOR GUY, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

#THESHOW

COMMENTARY

Shorten winter break to keep ‘The Show’ at games MIKE HERAL STAFF COLUMNIST ___________________________

S

an Diego State students might have thought the conference portion of the men’s basketball schedule tipped off against the Air Force Academy last Wednesday. After all, it coincided with classes resuming at SDSU. I wonder how many were surprised to learn that the Mountain West season did start against Air Force, but that particular game was way back on New Year’s Eve. While we were busy figuring out how to return unwanted presents without offending Aunt Sally, our basketball team was playing important games without a full student section to support them.

Some, including CBS Sports analyst Doug Gottlieb, have an issue with conference play happening when students are scattered throughout the nation. They want the basketball season changed.

Gottlieb tweeted on Jan. 2 that the season shouldn’t begin

A packed student section cheers on the men’s basketball team at Viejas Arena.

JENNA MACKEY, PHOTO EDITOR

until after college football ends. That’s creative thinking, but it also extends basketball until May, allowing it to eclipse every spring sport.

There’s another solution: SDSU should shorten its winter break.

Here are two examples from this season that reveals the effect — or lack thereof — a student section has on a team.

Let’s start with a non-positive scenario. In the middle of the winter break, SDSU rolled north to play California State

University, Fresno. In San Diego, social media chatter suggested an easy win for the Aztecs. Locals may have thought so too, because the Save Mart Center was empty. But, then a crazy thing happened. The Bulldogs broke out to a huge lead and, even though the Aztecs’ shooters found their touch in the second half, held on for the win. Somehow, David slew Goliath without any help.

Fast forward to this past Saturday night, Colorado

State University jumped to the same fast start that Fresno State did, and they also held on for victory. But there are important differences revealing that the Rams needed the help that Fresno State didn’t get. Unlike in Fresno, the Aztecs soared into Colorado feeling confident.

That feeling shattered as soon as they faced the intense aural assault from a packed Moby Arena. Still, the Aztecs got back on their feet and mounted two prolonged rallies. A win seemed like a probability as the Aztecs revealed themselves to be the better team. But games aren’t decided on skill alone.

Momentum and chance are just as important. Those pesky Rams’ fans stole SDSU’s momentum. Each rally wilted when those fans buttressed the shoulders of the sagging Rams.

The Aztecs rely on similar support. “The Show” isn’t a powerhouse just because of creative cheers and funny signs. They change outcomes of games. Last March’s game against the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque should’ve ended in SDSU losing, but “The Show” said no.

There’s little doubt that win

added money and prestige, too. Consider this: Since the Aztecs lost in the MW tournament, it’s not likely they would’ve made the NCAA Tournament without winning the regular season title on that March evening. Even if they had, would the Aztecs been confident enough to advance to the Sweet 16? SDSU needs the crowd behind them to prop up their terrifying press, shake the opposition into self-doubt, and even put belief into the minds of Aztecs that sometimes forget how to shoot.

Success matters for an athletic program still suffering from the middle child syndrome. While also a necessary step, the footballbased “Rise to 25” initiative is a plea for positive attention.

After months of television cameras scanning empty seats at Qualcomm Stadium, rows full of people acting crazy at Viejas Arena provides welcome relief for a university with a mostly invisible fan base. Since athletics is an economic engine for academia, SDSU has to get over this hump and grow into a major university. That means doing whatever it takes to put — and keep — fans in the stands.

6 ENTERTAINMENT

JAN. 29 - FEB. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: NICK KNOTT • ENTERTAINMENT@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

#OBSERVATORYSD

Local theatre shifts to new ownership LILLY GLENISTER SENIOR STAFF WRITER SARAH TANORI SENIOR STAFF WRITER _____________________________________

The North Park Theater will continue to be a staple local venue after new ownership takes over.

KRISTIAN CARREON, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

San Diego music fans definitely have something to be excited for in 2015: On Jan. 15, the North Park Theater on University Avenue officially went under new ownership by the owners of the popular Orange County music venue The Observatory.

For the past four years, The Observatory OC has served as an allages music venue hosting a wide variety of bands from well-known artists such as Weezer to under-the-radar acts that grace the bills of indie festivals like Burgerama and Beach Goth. Now with its new ownership of the North Park Theater underway, there is no doubt the venue, now called Observatory North Park, will continue on its path as one of the go-to places for music in San Diego.

It’s without much surprise that The Observatory OC would be interested in setting up shop in the eclectic neighborhood of North Park, which not to mention was named one of America’s best hipster neighborhoods by Forbes in 2012. The neighborhood is already home to other popular all-ages venues such as The Irenic; a renovated church that has hosted many of the same bands that have played at The Observatory OC, including Andrew Jackson Jihad, Hunx and his Punx, and King Tuff.

In 2014, The North Park Theater itself began to show true promise as the thennew owners worked with The Casbah owner Tim Mays to book popular artists

such as Ms. Lauryn Hill.

For those fearful of the historic theater losing its vintage look, the new owners are not looking to make major changes to the venue other than an even larger increase in big-name shows in the coming years, according to an article by the U-T San Diego.

The opening of the Observatory North Park could not come at a better time especially given the recent calls for eviction of do-it-yourself venues Ché Café and The Dial, both known for their allages shows and their individuality within the San Diego music scene. San Diego music is predominantly known for taking place at either bars or said DIY venues.

However, after the closures of the latter, there hasn't been much left for those under 21 to foster their love of music.

That's where the Observatory North Park comes into play. With a venue of this caliber, there is now an opportunity for music to flourish in a way like never before. DIY venues such as Ché Café and The Dial set foundations for a cultural standard in the San Diego music scene, one that didn't focus on the profit but the kids of this city and their love of music. That said, a venue such as the Observatory North Park could also expand this idea by providing a space that exposes kids of all ages to artists of different backgrounds.

The opening of the Observatory North Park not only is a new addition to an already hip community but a huge addition to San Diego music scene itself.

With both big and small acts to come, a place such as the Observatory North Park will bring audiences from all around the city, diversifying the scene from age, genre and beyond.

UPCOMING SHOWS AT THE OBSERVATORY NORTH PARK JAN. 31 Wale $30 FEB. 7 Leftover Crack with Blackbird Raum, Homesick Abortions, Juicy Karkass $15 FEB. 10 Migos $25 FEB. 12 Juicy J $35 FEB 13.

Hepcat with Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys $20 FEB. 14 Logic: Under Pressure World Tour $25 FEB. 16 Riff Raff with Chanel West Coast $20 FEB. 21 Lucinda Williams $40-75 FEB. 22 El Tri $35 FEB. 24 Brett Dennen $22.50 FEB. 25 Cold War Kids with Elliot Moss $25

JAN. 29 - FEB. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: NICK KNOTT • ENTERTAINMENT@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

ENTERTAINMENT 7

#BIRDMAN

‘Birdman’ soars over competition NICK KNOTT ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR _____________________________________ Every year there seems to be a certain flick that keeps Hollywood buzzing, especially around the award-show season. This year, that flick was “Birdman.”

“Birdman” garnered a multitude of award nominations in both the Academy Awards and Golden Globes, and it’s for a good reason. Between the seasoned cast and excellent cinematography, it’s no surprise “Birdman” is a sweeping sensation in the film community.

Michael Keaton took home the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy and director Alejandro González Iñárritu received the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay and Best Motion Picture.

Besides being well executed, “Birdman” has an interesting story line. The film follows washed-up actor Riggan (Michael Keaton) as he attempts to return to his stardom of yesteryear by writing, directing and starring in a Broadway show.

Riggan shot into the limelight early in his career after starring as the superhero Birdman. In his eyes, succeeding on Broadway will allow himself to become relevant in the eyes of the public again.

The film shadows the actor through the last few days of the rehearsal of his play before its career-deciding premiere.

All the cinematography is fluid. There appears to be no cuts at all, so it seems as if the whole film was shot in a single take ­— an exceptional task. This style lets viewers feel intimately close to the characters in the film. This manner in which the film follows its lead character is something not seen all that often in cinema, especially for an almost twohour movie.

The performance by the cast as a whole is superb as well. While Michael Keaton is exceptional in his leading role, a class-act

MCT CAMPUS

cast that includes Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Zach Galifiankis and Naomi Watts also surrounds him. The star-studded cast pushes the plot along quite nicely.

It’s also interesting seeing actors portray actors on the big screen, especially when their characters get in character.

The main driving force of the film is Riggan’s internal struggle between himself and the voice inside his head of his old character Birdman. The Birdman character gives Riggan the superhuman powers of levitation, telekinesis as well as others. However, it is up to the audience to decide if Riggan can actually do these things or if it’s simply his mind taking over his body.

All the subplots are connected to Riggan as well. His daughter Sam (Emma Stone) struggled through drug addiction

and now serves as personal assistant.

Sam starts to become involved with renegade actor Mike (Edward Norton), which only adds to the worries of her father Riggan. All the subplots keep the overall plot moving smoothly.

However, the climax comes very late and very close to the end of the film. It’s not so much abrupt as it is unfulfilling. The final scene occurs and leaves the audience in somewhat a state of confusion. It can be interpreted in multiple ways causing a small lack of satisfaction at the film’s end.

Despite the obscure ending, “Birdman” is still worth checking out. The film makes it perfectly clear why it’s received so many awards and nominations. The blend of comedy, drama, acting and cinematography are obvious reasons

why this is a must-see and one of the best films of the year.

IN THEATERS...

BIRDMAN DIRECTED BY ALEJANDRO GONZÁLEZ IÑÁRRITU STARRING MICHAEL KEATON, ZACH GALIFIANAKIS, EDWARD NORTON OUR RATING

««««

#WEEKENDPICKS JAN. 29 - FEB. 1 All week Aztecs have hustled and bustled between the first week of classes worrying about books, tests and the occasional stubborn professor. But it’s only the first week, so there’s still a little time for fun before students get buried in coursework. This weekend’s selection of on and off campus events can provide students with that last-minute fun before the buckling down begins.

NICK KNOTT ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR ____________________________________ COMMON EXPERIENCE: JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI THURSDAY, JAN. 29 7 P.M., STORM HALL WEST 12 This documentary follows an elderly sushi master as he runs his world famous sushi restaurant in Tokyo. The story follows the every day routine of the master, his son and eventual heir to the sushi spot and the rest of his employees as they make trips to the fish market and prepare for each night’s menu. The menu changes daily depending on what’s available at the market each day, creating unique meals every dinner service. The film is a great watch and intimate look inside the history and prestige of some of the world’s best sushi.

RAE SREMMURD FRIDAY, JAN. 30 BASSMNT Southern hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd leaped into stardom well

before their debut album “Sremm Life” released earlier this month. Brothers Swae Lee and Slim Jimmy create fun, club-type music that will have the crowd jumping in a matter of seconds.

The siblings received the co-sign from mega producer Mike Will Made It early, and in turn he produced their debut album. Additionally the duo has drawn premiere talent such as Nicki Minaj, Pusha-T and Young Thug to contribute feature verses on their album. Bassmnt downtown provides the perfect venue to see a high-energy show like this one will be.

SECOND ANNUAL BENEFIT FAIR AT SDSU SATURDAY, JAN. 31 11 A.M. – 2 P.M., NORTH LIBRARY WALK Health is wealth they always say and the BeneFIT fair provided by San Diego State’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program will help Aztecs assess their own state of health. The three-hour fair will feature tai chi, yoga and circuit training classes so students can try new forms of exercise. Additionally, there will be areas for students to

put themselves through tests for glucose levels and blood pressure.

Students may also sign up for bone marrow transplant testing as well.

Tickets for activities will be sold for one dollar all day.

AZTEC NIGHTS WELCOME BACK MADNESS SATURDAY, JAN. 31 10 P.M. - 2 A.M., MONTEZUMA HALL This late-night party is the last event of the Spring 2015 Aztec Nights. Welcome Back Madness is an annual tradition where all Aztecs have on night of fun before the reality of classes comes around.

This year the event will feature free food, a mechanical bull, dance party and the all-important inflatable games that test your athleticism. An event like this is perfect for Aztecs who live around campus but don’t have the luxury of travelling outside the area for fun times. Take the night off and break in the spring semester with some good fun presented by Associated Students.

8 FEATURES

JAN. 29 - FEB. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

#AZTECPRIDE

Become wise with philosophy club THANE HALE STAFF WRITER ___________________________________ San Diego State’s Philosophy Club is a student organization that holds discussions, lectures and events for anyone who wants to talk about philosophical issues. Discussions could range from specific current events to topics covered in philosophy classes.

However, the goal of the club is to promote thoughtful reflection among students about their lives, no matter what department they are in.

“It provides an extremely welcoming atmosphere for students of all majors,” philosophy graduate student and Philosophy Club officer George Tibbitts said. “So those with little background are just as welcome as philosophy majors. Club discussions are decided in advance, based on general interest or a student’s presentation. We encourage discussion, but this can be a great place to hear new ideas.”

Besides the regular discussions, students and faculty often give presentations to the club. The club also prepares members for ethics bowls, a type of debate over specific ethical situations, and is associated with the Southern California Philosophy Conference and other conferences.

The club has many practical uses.

Philosophy and public relations senior and Philosophy Club President Courtney White noted that people can tell their parents about the many CEOs, entrepreneurs and lawyers who have come out, attributing much of their success to philosophy.

Members can use the club as a tool to recognize how to argue an issue from any side.

“I have found it to be a great place to practice speaking in front of people and receive useful feedback,” Tibbitts said.

But philosophy is more than just argument. The Philosophy Club is different from a debate club in that people learn to break down issues and analyze them specifically and thoroughly, rather than just learn rhetorical skills.

The club is also for those concerned

Members of the San Diego State Philosophy Club meet to discuss and debate current issues.

COURTESY OF PHILOSOPHY CLUB

with more general ideas: being a better person, increasing their knowledge about the world or learning things about different occupations.

White described how the club can be a great outlet for students who are concerned with philosophical issues, but have no other way to talk about them.

“I think a lot of people come because it gives them a place to talk about things their friends don’t like to talk about,” White said. “Maybe they don’t feel comfortable asking those questions in their home, if it doesn’t line up with religious beliefs they have.

It gives them a comfortable space to

talk about anything in a philosophical way.”

For White, the club has quite a bit of personal significance.

“I looked into the philosophy club just as an extracurricular activity, and I thought ‘this is the community I am supposed to be a part of,’” she said.

“They made me feel really at home and I quickly became friends with many people in the department. It was a really good decision for me.”

She noted that for anyone who wants to reflect deeply, who wants to know why we do the things we do, or who feels unsatisfied, it is a really great place to go to sort oneself out.

“You don’t have to be a philosopher to think about things philosophically, and it’s just helpful,” she said.

Through discussing these ideas and issues, she thinks it can indirectly help people better their lives. White described how philosophy can be useful in any person’s life.

“The Philosophy Club provides a great community to feel like being engaged with the world doesn’t make you nerdy or weird. It’s not a negative thing,” White said. “You shouldn’t feel like you’re the only person in your immediate environment who cares about the way that the world functions and the purpose of their lives.”

#AZTECALUM

Novelist speaks at conference THANE HALE STAFF WRITER _____________________________________ Author and San Diego State Alumna Stephanie Diaz spoke at the 31st annual SDSU Writers’ Conference held from Jan. 23-25 at the Marriott Hotel in Mission Valley.

Diaz said her interest in writing started at a young age.

“It stems from a love of reading, mostly,” she said. “But I have always liked to make up worlds. It’s partly fantasy because I can’t do interstellar stuff, or go to other galaxies, but I can write about it.

It’s also a way of getting my ideas out. I’m kind of an introvert, so it’s easier to write sometimes than to talk.”

Diaz studied film production at SDSU and took screenwriting classes, in which she learned many skills useful for storytelling, but she has practiced writing

for most of her life. She has wanted to be a writer since she was 5 years old. She proposed stories to publishers three times over seven years until she was eventually accepted. Meanwhile, she graduated in 2013.

Her young-adult science fiction novel, Extraction, was published in July 2014 and her next novel is due out in February.

An article about Diaz was published in the Cosmopolitan Latina magazine.

Seeing the article, SDSU Writers’ Conference Coordinator Erin Quinn asked her to be a speaker.

The conference covers all genres of writing and will have workshops, oneon-one consultations with industry professionals, and other events to help prospective writers.

The speakers include authors, editors and literary agents. Diaz was part of the workshop The Young Adult Debut: Author/Agent/Editor Panel on Saturday,

Jan. 24.

The writers’ conference has grown to become one of the most respected in the country. Many books have had their start there, being proposed and accepted by one of the editors. Prestigious speakers have included presidents and vice-presidents of book publishers, and often New York Times best-selling authors. Keynote speakers this year were MacGregor Literary Inc. President Chip MacGregor and New York Times bestselling author and award winner Jonathan Mayberry.

Quinn, who is a New York Times bestselling author herself, described why she liked working on the conference.

“When you go to a conference like this, the creative buzz in the room almost makes you high. Everybody is just so excited and there is all this creative energy running around. People are just bouncing around. It’s electric, it’s amazing.”

COURTESY OF STEPHANIE DIAZ

FEATURES 9

JAN. 29 - FEB. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

#REGISTRATION

Understanding the general catalogue LAINIE FRASER STAFF WRITER ____________________________

The San Diego State general catalogue aids students in registration.

JENNA MACKEY, PHOTO EDITOR

When the roughly 500-paged General Catalogue is handed out at orientation, it may seem daunting, intimidating, and maybe even useless. From personal experience, at first glance, it looks like a better dust collector than educational tool. Despite its appearance, the General Catalogue is a key resource provided to students at San Diego State.

“The General Catalogue contains a wealth of information about SDSU,” the Associate Director at the SDSU Office of Advising and Evaluations Jane Mesa said.

“For a student, it is a valuable reference tool for graduation requirements, course information and university policies and procedures.”

Mesa explained that the most answers to common questions asked at the Advising Center can be found in the General Catalogue.

Taking the time and effort

to get accustomed with the General Catalogue will help everyone in the long run. The General Catalogue provides a description of each course, what requirement it satisfies, and what pre-requisites are needed. Understanding this can make planning for the next four years much easier.

Regardless of how heavily the importance of the General Catalogue is pressed, some students still refuse to crack it open.

“My tip on how to first begin using the General Catalog is to start by reading and familiarizing oneself with the Graduation Requirements section of the catalogue,” Mesa said. “The 13 colored pages of the catalog outline what a student needs to graduate, so it is the perfect starting point.”

Understanding what is required to graduate in a timely manner can dictate the choices and progress of a student. With all of this information, it is easy to get lost in a book of this size.

According to Mesa, the key

sections are graduation requirements, major specifics, and if applicable, minor specifics. Focusing on what is crucial to graduate individually is what will keep a student on track. Within these sections, a student can find course descriptions, prerequisites, and enrollment and credit restrictions.

Understanding what a student needs to take versus what a student wants to take is important for planning one’s class schedule.

Aztecs are fortunate enough to be given a multitude of resources when choosing classes. In addition to the General Catalogue, each student is given a personalized degree evaluation and access to MyMap. Each of these can help a student make an informed decision when choosing classes, but the General Catalogue provides the most in-depth information.

“The only mistake I can think of is not using the catalogue,” Mesa said.

10 FEATURES

JAN. 29 - FEB. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

ABOVE: San Diego State alumni Matthew Eisen and Karla Peterson in 1986.

RIGHT: Matthew Eisen and Karla Peterson at a party with friends in 1981.

COURTESY OF MATTHEW EISEN AND KARLA PETERSON

#LOVEATSDSU

Blinded by the light of true love ALICIA CHAVEZ SENIOR STAFF WRITER ___________________________________ The film critic fell in love with the music critic and Bruce Springsteen was the power that brought them together.

Matthew Eisen and Karla Peterson were both attending San Diego State and writing for The Daily Aztec in 1981 when they realized they had more in common than they expected, such as a deep rooted love of Bruce Springsteen.

Karla Peterson was an English major

from Upland, California, and wanted to write for The Daily Aztec in order to get more involved with the student community. Come to find out the writing position she had in mind was already filled by her future husband.

She settled as the music critic, but it wasn’t too long until the two crossed paths. Eisen was a film graduate student from Illinois and the movie critic at The Daily Aztec.

“When I went to The Daily Aztec for the first time to try and get a writing job, I was really interested in writing about movies,” Peterson said. “Except, they already had a movie critic, so I got my revenge later by marrying him.”

“Yea, she tried to steal my job,” Eisen said.

Their positions with the school’s newspaper came with several perks and eventually led them to each other in the spring of 1981. Peterson was working on a play review. Matthew was attending the same event, and intended to interview the famous playwright.

Although both were involved with other people at the time, spending countless hours in the same office and trying to meet the same deadlines inevitably bonded the two writers.

One afternoon in The Daily Aztec offices, Peterson was writing a summer review of a Bruce Springsteen concert.

Eisen peeked over her shoulder only to realize he attended the same concert.

“We started talking about how great the concert was and our love of music,” Eisen said. “We both love rock ‘n’ roll, so I suggested we go to a show together and Karla said yes.”

For their first date, Eisen mixed work with pleasure. His assignment was to write a movie review for the film “Body Heat” and asked Karla to join him. The two watched the sexy film together and Peterson recounts it as an incredibly awkward experience.

“We’re sitting in the movie and halfway through, I’m thinking, ‘What is she going to think about me?’” Eileen said.

“It was a little embarrassing,” Peterson said. “We were both trying to act like it wasn’t really happening.”

“All I could hope was that she wasn’t reading too much into it,” Eisen said.

“Fortunately, she didn’t.”

After ‘Body Heat,’ the rest is history.

The two began dating in the fall of

1981. With the absence of texting and voicemails, they kept their relationship aflame the old fashioned way — leaving cute notes in their work mailboxes.

They continued to attend movie premieres and music concerts together.

They even consider “The Backdoor,” an old concert hall located downstairs in the old Aztec Center, their favorite place on campus. Although the hall is long-gone, the place still holds memories for the two.

In 1983 the two decided to move in together and by 1986 Peterson and Eisen were married. Although Eisen’s wedding proposal was a little untraditional, the two were tired of living like a couple of college students and ready to take things to the next level.

“He didn’t actually propose,” Peterson said. “There wasn’t a ‘getting down on one knee’ or anything. It was more of us just talking like we do.”

“We really needed a lot of stuff around the house,” Eisen said. “We thought if we got married, everyone is going to buy us wedding gifts like nice plates and some cook wear.”

In 1995 Eisen and Peterson welcomed a baby girl named Natalie Eisen.

Almost 28 years later, the two are still happily married and still going to Bruce Springsteen concerts together.

Their secret to a long lasting, Aztec marriage is communication.

“It’s interesting that we both majored in communication fields,” Eisen said.

“Our marriage has really worked because we’re always open and communicative with each other.”

Peterson believes a relationship needs to continue to have passion, including a sense of humor.

“If you can’t laugh with somebody and can’t find the ridiculousness in life, I think you’re going to have a harder time,” Peterson said.

“We love to laugh and having a sense of humor definitely helps, especially if you’re married to me, then you really need a sense of humor, right Karla?”

Eisen said.

She said yes.

Eisen is currently the Executive Producer at Crosskeys Media and Karla Peterson is a columnist at the U-T San Diego, both continuing to write and produce like they did when they first met.

FEATURES 11

JAN. 29 - FEB. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

#STUDYING

StudySoup makes passing notes classy TAYLOR KNECHT CONTRIBUTOR ___________________________ It’s 10:30 on a Wednesday night, there is a final in the morning, and the study guide has become beyond stressful.

It’s too late to contact the teacher and for whatever reason no one in the class is looking at their email. The options are running out and fast. At this rate, the sun will be up and it will be time to take the test. Many students are in this type of situation in classes throughout their college careers. Two veterans of this educational crisis have come to the rescue with their cutting edge note-sharing program: StudySoup.

StudySoup is now available for courses at SDSU, where students can register to purchase notes or consider applying as a note-taker.

Created in 2014 by Sieva Kozinsky and Jeff Silverman, two ultimate frisbee students attending the University of California, Santa Barbara, this program started as a simple conversation.

Kozinsky majored in technology management and environmental science while Silverman majored in

THINKSTOCK

computer science, but even in different majors both had the common problem of how much was missing from their classroom experience. From that moment on, they decided to create a project using their skills of an entrepreneur and programmer to bring a better option to their fellow students.

We wanted to take the

experiences we have seen in study rooms and libraries and bring it online. We wanted to connect students electronically,” Kozinsky said.

The emphasis was to manifest a peer-to-peer marketplace where students sitting in the same lectures were providing notes to one another. This served as a

CROSSWORDS

ACROSS 1 Some portrait frames 6 Noble __ 11 Singsong syllable 14 With 15-Across, accounting unit 15 See 14-Across 16 Like some aces 17 Manage 18 Walking __ 19 Sound after a satisfying swig 20 Scotch cocktails 22 Zenith 23 “I won’t hurt you” 26 Not as deliberate 28 Toothbrushendorsing org.

29 With 31-Across, anathema 31 See 29-Across

32 Worlds 35 __ legend 37 Question about change, which hints at the hidden feature of four two-part puzzle answers 42 Blue Grotto locale 43 “Ramona and Beezus” co-star Gomez 44 With 47-Across, some receivers 47 See 44-Across 49 Set-__ 50 Malady in the 2000 film “Memento” 52 Like the best occult films 55 It’s about a foot 56 Yield figures 58 Figure under a line

more effective alternative to professors or aids who weren’t always available or didn’t fully understand the source of students confusion. These uploads can be just notes from that weeks lecture, a study guide, or a mixture of the two. Depending on the amount required, the price for students accessing it ranges

from $7 to $15.

Students who post must undergo a three step intensive screening process to ensure quality: a job application, the uploading of notes for review and an interview. Kozinsky believed high quality was the only way to provide 100 percent satisfaction, and it became the backbone for their undeniable success.

Not only are employees able to make a steady income of $800 to $1,000 while being full time students, they are also doing it by capitalizing on their educational skills rather than wasting them on other miscellaneous jobs.

They have established their own business which has become their full time career, have set up shop in San Francisco, and have expanded across the nation to schools such as UCLA, Brown University, and University of Oregon.

Within the next year, they even hope to add more components to the site that will help students get the most out of their education.

“Start now because the day you start is the day you start learning, and you learn the most at the edge of uncertainty,” Kozinsky said.

CLASSIFIEDS

59 Fife-and-drum drum 60 Two cents 64 Bardic before 65 With 66-Across, National Book Award-winning novel by Don DeLillo 66 See 65-Across 67 “M*A*S*H” titles 68 Private 69 Mount DOWN 1 Pigs out (on) 2 Center of gravity?

3 Presidential nickname 4 Petrol unit 5 Gave up a seat 6 One of six British kings 7 Year in Tuscany 8 “Wait for me”

9 Pension law signed by Ford, briefly 10 Jordan neighbor: Abbr.

11 Gillette razor 12 Hole enlarger 13 Cleave 21 Comes to the surface 22 Harsh-sounding, to some 23 Traffic stopper?

24 Notion 25 “Elf” actor 27 Shoshone Falls river 30 Shroud city 33 Chinese evergreen 34 Zoo security features 36 Droopy-eared hound 38 Wonderful container?

39 Bordeaux bean?

40 “The Dukes of Hazzard” officer 41 Tammany Hall caricaturist 44 Mortarboard frill 45 “That upset me!”

46 Speakers of Tolkien’s Noldorin language 48 Costing more 51 Corporate raider Carl 53 Jockey’s handful 54 “This __ a drill!”

57 Mechanical repetition 59 Prefix with light or night 61 “Easy as __!”

62 Wear and tear 63 Former Ohio governor Strickland

Help Wanted Swim Instructors $12/hr+ Full/part-time hours; TBD. Full-time hours mandatory June through August - 40+ hours per week. One year commitment required. Competitive swimming background required, CPR & WSI certifications recommended.

Starting rate is $12, with potential to earn up to $19. Call to inquire: PACIFIC BEACH 858-273-7946. ________________________________

your paper.

PLEASE NOTE: The Daily Aztec does not endorse or support and has no affiliation with the products or services offered in the Classifieds section. To place an ad in the Classifieds section, please visit thedailyaztec.com/classifieds

BE SURE TO READ OUR

BODY ART ISSUE

2.12.15

12 THE BACK PAGE

JAN. 29 - FEB. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

#COMMENTS

Online comment cruelty CONOR NORDBERG STAFF WRITER ___________________________________

I

f you had told someone 50 years ago that anyone could have the capability to communicate instantaneously with someone else regardless of distance, they would have likely laughed at the very idea. But thanks to modern technology, this dream has become a reality. However, this gift of unparalleled public discourse has also repeatedly been shown to have consequences.

Now if, say, there’s an election coming up or a new iPhone is revealed, anyone with an internet connection can comment on news sites or message boards and give their opinion on the subject. This can lead to some extremely insightful and engaging conversations, but due to the anonymity that most sites allow, “discussions” just devolve into petty name-callings and outright bullying.

It’s this situation that the news agency Reuters recently acted against, resulted in them banning online comments entirely. The choice, as explained by executive editor Dan Colarusso, was executed because “much of the well-informed and articulate discussions around news … has moved to social media and online forums.”

On Jan. 22, the Las Vegas ReviewJournal shut off their message boards as well, citing that “the same platform that provides an opportunity for civil dialogue and an exchange of ideas also provides a platform for racism, bigotry and hatred.”

Going back to Sept. 2013, Popular

Science shut down their own comment sections as well, giving similar reasons as other publications. However, Popular Science also went on to blame Internet open forums that attract trolls as having been responsible for eroding public belief in science like climate change, vaccines, and evolution.

When the publication allows anyone to comment on their stories, “scientific certainty is just another thing for two people to ‘debate,’” Popular Science online director Suzanne LaBarre said.

The tone of comments can also

“

THE SAME PLATFORM THAT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CIVIL DIALOGUE...

ALSO PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR RACISM, BIGOTRY AND HATRED.”

- Las Vegas Review Journal

have a drastic impact on reader’s impressions on certain subjects.

In a study done by The Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, participants read a fake science article regarding the costs and benefits of so-called “nanosilver,” followed by various fake comments on the subject. Approximately one half of the participants read very civil, polite

#DASNAPSHOTS

and contained comments whereas the other half read angry, hyperbolic comments such as “If you don’t see the benefits of using nanotechnology in these kind of products, you’re an idiot."

The results exemplified the drawbacks of unmonitored message forums. The result of participants reading the uncivil comments were polarized views on the subject and often changes the reader’s interpretation of the entire story.

These are not good prospects for a society like ours plagued by news organizations stuck in an “us versus them” mentality.

Websites don’t need to have unrestricted comment sections, especially since they’re not legally obliged to allow speech for others.

They can either eliminate comment sections entirely or revamp them smartly. To do the latter, administrators can impose an upvote and downvote policy, similar to what the website reddit has. What this means is that individual users can determine whether a comment has value or not, resulting (ideally) in only the most level-headed, factual comments being noticeable.

There’s no perfect solution to this issue; trolls will continue to be trolls regardless of commenting restrictions.

However, it’s hopeful that someday, Internet forums will be populated mainly by civil, unpolarized opinions and that the comment cesspools of today will be gone. It's unlikely but then again, the only solution may end up being to eliminate them entirely, making online news discussions a privilege, not a right.

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., ©2015.

GAME SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

A DUSTING OF SNOW

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep / But I have promises to keep, / And miles to go before I sleep." Photo by Sarah Smith.

PLEASE NOTE: The views expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect those of The Daily Aztec.

Express your concerns by emailing letters@thedailyaztec.com

HOROSCOPE HAPPY BIRTHDAY (1/29/15) Collaborate for shared prosperity this year. There's money available, especially after 3/20. A friend assists at a fork in your educational road after 4/8. A romantic turning point arises. October eclipses usher a new phase in shared prosperity, with a communications shakeup. New options appear.

Partnership provides key tools.

HOW IT WORKS: 10 is good, 1 is bad.

ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a 7 - A conflict between career and family arises. Don't assume you know the answer or spend on it. Shed light on the truth without making a determination.

Prepare for new responsibilities.

Consider each person's resources as you make decisions. Reassure them.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 7 - Handle basic priorities today and keep income flowing or learn the hard way. A reality check could startle. Go with the flow. Keep practicing and you get through. Relax and enjoy it. Pull in your creative harvest.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is an 8 - Maintain confidence even when there are breakdowns everywhere.

Innovative solutions are possible today.

Step outside the box. Sift through the fluff for solid data. Think it over, and get feedback from friends and family.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 6 - Take care of health and vitality, for yourself and those nearby. Avoid colds and the flu by getting extra rest, exercise and good food. Hold onto what you have. Cut stress by taking frequent peace breaks. Meditate on a dream.

LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 7 - Your team is a big help today. Let them handle the details. Read the fine print. There are valuables hidden in that stack of stuff. Let another take the lead. Prepare for fierce competition by strengthening your network.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 7 - Things may not go according to plan. Feelings seem more sensitive than usual. It's not an illusion. Take time to think things over. Friends are there for you. Take authority over your own responsibilities.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is an 8 - Schedule trips and events carefully.

Turn down a suggestion that goes against your grain. Figure costs before committing. Cash flow impacts work or vice versa. Friends help you make a connection. Magnetic personalities come together. Breathe deeply.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 7 - A perfect storm brews around financial discussion today. Avoid talking about money if possible. Hold onto your cash and avoid provoking jealousies.

Manage administrative details, file papers and keep accounts current.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is an 8 - What does your partner think?

Obstacles in the road could cause sparks to fly. Give each other the benefit of the doubt, and avoid upset. Use your best manners. Do your chores. Share your appreciation for a job well done.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 7 - Take care of work first, then turn to personal goals. Compromise may be required. You feel like splurging. Get your team to do the research. Ask probing questions. Flesh out the details. Choose beauty over practicality.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 7 - There's a setback in a game. Review deadlines, commitments and routines.

Ensure that they make use of your talents. Get carried away by a fascinating exchange of ideas. Evaluate and choose new strategies.

PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 6 - Someone at home is dealing with barriers and breakdowns around love or a dream. Provide comfort and support.

Explore hidden options. Examine fears to banish them. Learn from objections. Your listening is a gift. Give it generously.