CSU budget continues to suffer Teleconference highlights CSU’s growing budget woes
TUESDAY February 7, 2012 Volume 97, Issue 69 W W W.T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M
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Elisse Miller staff writer Discussion about the California State University budget continued last week during an informational teleconference held by CSU Public Affairs. With the recent victory of the salary cap for all new CSU presidents, it was time to turn attention to the vulnerability of CSU government funding. Currently, Gov. Jerry Brown’s CSU budget proposal for the new fiscal year calls for a “flat budget” that would decrease funding by $750 million. In addition, there is a $200 million trigger cut that can be avoided if Brown’s new tax initiative is passed. This initiative would increase the California sales tax a half of a percentage point and the income taxes of those earning $250,000 or more for five years. Liz Chapin, the CSU Public Affairs representative, said “The $200 million trigger cut would reduce CSU state funding to the lowest level it’s been since 1996. However, today the CSU enrolls 95,000 more students.” Students know that a lack of funds could lead to several equally damaging consequences. Employment and enrollment could be reduced, which is a grim option because San Diego State just broke records for its number of Fall 2012 applicants. A tuition increase is another possible solution. Although the increase of $500 in the fall is nearly guarenteed, the board said this would only occur if all other options had been exhausted.
SPORTS
SDSU looks to regain its focus after its losing streak was snapped. MCT CAMPUS
Crucial university programs are not the only victims in the budget reduction; this cut would also mean a cut in financial aid. In Brown’s 2012-2013 budget proposal, a GPA of 3.25 must be met to receive Cal Grant A. The GPA is currently set at 3.0. Cal Grant A is specifically designated to assist students entering a four-year university, though those attending community college can defer the grant for two years. Fortunately, the allotted amount for the Pell Grant has been maintained at $5,550. However, it is now only available to students for 12 semesters instead of 18. Most impor-
tantly, the six-month grace period given to those with student loans has been temporarily eliminated; interest fees will start to accumulate immediately after a student graduates. “With all these changes, financial aid has just now become a line item in the budget instead of being something incredibly essential like it is,” Stephanie Thara, web communications specialist at CSU, said. While many students are lamenting the foreboding decreases to the budget, the CSU system is teaming up with the California State Student Association to fight these cuts, especially those directly affecting the Cal Grant.
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Executive Director of CSSA Miles Nevin commented on the partnership by stating, “We feel and we’ve come to an agreement that if we work together in representing the CSU’s needs and interests both at a local and capital level, that we will be better off in the end. We have a higher likelihood of getting what we need from the state.” In December, the President of CSU Long Beach F. King Alexander also met with President Barack Obama to discuss the issue of college affordability. These are just two examples of the efforts being made toward gaining back state financial support on the CSU’s road to recovery. OPINION The PTC points a finger at M.I.A. for corrupting the young and innocent.
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LO O K I N G T H R O U G H OUR LENS MCT CAMPUS
Israel-Iran tensions on the rise
WORLD NEWS
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta feels confident an Israeli attack on Iran is imminent and likely to happen as soon as April. This comes after years of mounting suspicions Iran has been developing nuclear weapons, despite increased economic sanctions imposed on Iran by the United Nations. However, Iran continues to claim its nuclear program is purely to generate energy for civilian use. In the wake of growing suspicions, Iran’s leaders have not been what most would consider diplomatic. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently stated war against Iran would be “detrimental” for the U.S. and described Israel as “the cancerous tumor of this region” that “needs to be removed and will be removed.” These developments have made it increasingly difficult to convince Israel peace talks are the best course of action in dealing with Iran as a nuclear threat.
U.S. think tank Bipartisan Policy Center recently released a report that suggested the U.S begin making military preparations, which will make it apparent to Iran the U.S. is ready to take military action if needed.
US embassy in Syria closed The U. S. embassy in Syria was shut d o w n y e s t e rd a y a m i d s t v i o l e n c e between protestors and the Syrian government. Embassy officials and staff were promptly evacuated. The Associated Press reported the move as an attempt to place pressure on Syrian president Bashar Assad to end the violence between protestors and government troops. The embassy itself is located in the Syrian capital of Damascus. On Saturday, Assad began shelling the city of Homs. Numerous world leaders, including President Barack Obama, have
expressed their disdain and absolute disapproval with the Assad regime’s handling of the uprisings. The embassy closure also comes as nations are stepping up pressure on Assad to step down as president. Arab League monitors were dispatched to Syria earlier this year in order to assess the situation and evaluate the Assad regime’s position going forward. Attention is now turned on Russia and China, as they moved to veto a U.N. resolution yesterday that would have imposed tougher sanctions on Syria as well as Assad’s resignation. Arab League Chief Nabil Elaraby issued a statement saying that Russia and China have lost their credit with the Arab world in the blocking of the resolution.
–Compiled by News Editor Hutton Marshall.
Time estranges us from ourselves. Sometimes I look in the mirror, see my features all scrunched up ... and I don’t recognize myself. B A C K PA G E
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W E AT H E R : LIGHT RAIN HIGH: 61 LOW: 48 SUNSET: 5:26PM
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D A I LY
AZTEC Tuesday, February 7, 2012
SPORTS
WO M E N ’S B AS K E T B A L L
SDSU wants to regroup Ruben Meza contributor Having a winning streak snapped is one of the toughest obstacles any team can face. How players react to a loss can easily determine the rest of the season. The San Diego State women’s basketball team (17-5, 7-1 MW) saw its milestone 13-game streak come to an end last Saturday, but the team already has one thing in mind. Quite simply: It’s time to start another streak. “We’re in first place; people want what we have. TCU wanted it, They had a plan, executed it and it worked,” junior guard Chelsea
Hopkins said. “But we’re still in position to win the conference.” Although Hopkins and the Aztecs are already looking ahead, credit must be given to their accomplishment. SDSU’s average margin of victory during the run was a dominating 16.2 points per game. Not to mention it happened at the perfect time. SDSU has established an “Aztec Basketball” intimidation factor according to Hopkins. “Our defensive intensity has brought us to where we are today,” Hopkins said. “We all know what we have to do as a team to win and get back on track. The biggest factor will be our performance in practice.” Averaging 11.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.9 assists in confer-
PETER KLUCH, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL STANDINGS
ence play, Hopkins has led the team, doing it all with a knee that she said is only 80 percent healthy. Hopkins was selected as the preseason Newcomer of the Year in the conference, but has been playing as if she’s been an Aztec for much longer. Technically she has, redshirting last season after transferring from Duke University. She was unanimously selected as the SDSU captain at the end of last season even though she had never played a game. The Aztecs selected Hopkins primarily because of her leadership during practice last season, but lately the team has been lacking focus. SDSU head coach Beth Burns mentioned the team has struggled in recent practices from a concentration standpoint. After last Saturday’s loss, the Aztecs have been humbled and practice is all the players are looking forward to now. The team has a bye this Wednesday, but that doesn’t mean SDSU will take any days off as UNLV will arrive this Saturday to Viejas Arena. “Maybe we would’ve taken a little break if we didn’t lose, but since we lost I have to stomach it for the entire week. That’s the hardest part, but it will push me to get back in the gym with my team quick,” Hopkins said. So now it all comes full circle. These next few strings of practices are Hopkins’ perfect chance to prove once again why she was selected as Aztec captain. “We have a target on our back,” Hopkins said. “We’ll be locked in and I know we’ll be ready.”
17-5 (7-1)
10-13 (6-2)
17-7 (5-3)
12-11 (5-3)
9-12 (5-3)
12-11 (5-3)
7-15 (1-7)
5-18 (0-8)
BEHIND THE NUMBERS
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FOR SDSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 4
Points for Courtney Clements against TCU
16.6
Points per game for Clements this season
15
Made shots against TCU
64
Field goal attempts against TCU
17
3-point shots attempted by SDSU
0
Made three’s against TCU
19
Point loss for the Aztecs
17
Wins for SDSU this season
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D A I LY A Z T E C Tuesday, February 7, 2012
OPINION
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Local food vital to urban reform
L
ast Tuesday’s San Diego City Council meeting proved to be a critical moment in shaping the future of this city. The council voted unanimously to approve a set of reforms to urban agriculture regulations. The new rules now allow backyard chickens, bees and even miniature goats at urban residences. The change also increases opportunities for the sale of fresh produce at farmers markets, farm stands and on-site at urban gardens and farms.
MCT CAMPUS
M.I.A., flip PTC the bird
I
f you were one of millions of viewers watching Sunday’s Super Bowl game, I’d like to offer my humblest sympathies. No, I’m not talking to you, Patriot fans (the team in the shiny white and blue, for those fellow nonfootball savvy readers), or to the poor gentlemen who indulged in too much Bud Light and chest-bumping. This is for those subjected to M.I.A.’s mentally scarring and obscene use of her middle finger during the Super Bowl halftime show. Following the event, the Parents Television Council — which you might remember as the fecesflingers protesting Janet Jackson’s “show and tell” during the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime program — published a statement denouncing NBC, the NFL and the singer herself. “M.I.A. used a middle finger shamelessly to bring controversial attention to herself, while effectively telling an audience filled with children, ‘f– you,’” the PTC stated.
Chris Pocock opinion editor Aside from the obviously nonhyperbolic rhetoric implying halftime shows are projected on the sides of jungle gyms in every playground, the PTC put forward a solid second point: “Instead of preventing indecent material, (NBC and the NFL) enabled it.” No one can argue Madonna, Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. aren’t potentially indecent. But few popular musicians are decent nowadays. The days of good, clean rock ‘n’ roll are dead and rotting — if they really ever existed at all. Johnny Cash wasn’t the first musician famous for flipping the bird and M.I.A. won’t be the last. Popular music and socalled “indecent material” are inextricably intertwined, and neither are going away any time soon.
So, you might ask, how do we protect the innocent and easily corrupted minds of American children from being damaged in the future? Simple: Don’t let your children watch the Super Bowl. Sure, it might not be a great idea to subject youngins to racy music and, well, nipples. But is it any better for children to watch 350 pound men hurling themselves violently against each other at braindamaging speeds to gain possession of a seemingly magical brown ball? Last time I checked, that wasn’t an integral part of the kindergarten curriculum. Next year, hire a babysitter, throw on a particularly lengthy marathon of Pixar movies and set up the kiddies with a Matterhorn-sized pile of candy. Trust me, they’ll be happier anyway. Just try to take it easy on the chest bumping.
CHRIS POCOCK IS A POLITICAL SCIENCE SENIOR.
Randy Wilde assistant copy chief and supplemental income for struggling low-income families. It can provide more affordable, nutritious food to a population plagued by obesity and diabetes in this age of fast food and processed garbage. Sourcing food from local, sustainably grown farms and gardens also drastically reduces environmental impact from agricultural chemicals, machinery and transportation emissions.
The city council voted ... to approve a set of reforms to urban regulations. ... (These reforms) can provide more ... nutritious food to a population plagued by obesity and diabetes. Though these steps may seem trivial, they are both the culmination of a long and hard-fought campaign and the beginning of a more profound transformation. Organizations such as the International Rescue Committee, the San Diego 1 in 10 Coalition and San Diego Food Not Lawns, among others, have labored to increase awareness of urban food issues and push positive reforms for years now. Their hard work has begun to manifest tangible results – results that will improve the lives of many San Diegans in a very real way. Urban agriculture is a nexus issue. It could potentially contribute to the solution of many of our most pressing issues: poverty, public health, crime, environmental degradation and the decay of our urban landscape. Selling homegrown produce can be a source of both healthy food
Now that funding for urban redevelopment has largely dried up, we can take this opportunity to focus on urban agriculture as a means of renewal and transformation. Not only do urban gardens, small farms and farmers markets beautify our neighborhoods, they make them safer, more livable and bring a sense of community currently lacking in many areas. And the beauty of this route is it can be quite inexpensive. As important as decisions like the city council’s can be, this movement is more about the everyday actions of San Diego citizens. We must all strive to be more than just consumers.
RANDY WILDE IS AN ISCOR SENIOR.
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D A I LY
AZTEC Tuesday, February 7, 2012
B AC K PAG E
FICTION
HOROSCOPE
The burden of water
I
t seems these days my hours are spent waiting for everything: the water to boil, my email to load, the tomato vine to sprout. I’ve been thinking about time lately. How pliable it all is. As a kid, you think time stretches on forever. There’s so much distance between you and death. Then, when you’re older, perspective teaches you time accelerates with your own acceleration. Even if your days are slow, the years move fast. I imagine when you’re really ancient, time looks like a border. We’re all headed west, toward that last border. I imagine for myself, discovering the afterlife will be like reaching the Pacific, and I’ll be able to see the true horizon of things. This is what I think about while standing in line to purchase my groceries. When I’m forced to wait, I’m consumed with impatience. The man ahead of me puts down a bag of birdseed. He has trouble making a decision as to which pack of gum he should buy. The conveyor belt moves forward but he stays there. We’re all crippled by choice. There are just too many options out there. Really, is cinnamon gum that different from the spearmint? The regret he will feel from choosing the wrong pack might affect his entire week. At least it seems that way if he’s willing to spend so much time on a single pack of gum. When I get home I call Calvin to see how everything is. I can’t sleep now that he’s out of the house. He’s gone to the university, finally. I still remember the day he graduated from kindergarten.
Mason Schoen fiction writer His timeline will be different from mine. At some point, I read in a newspaper article, humans will have to choose to be immortal or not. Specialized nanobots will attach to our blood cells to fight infections and repair damaged tissue. That might be a moral battle his generation will face — to choose mortality or to live forever. Me, I’d rather take my allotted time and move on. Risk what else is out there.
of water lingers with me. I think to myself, “I’ve sacrificed the comb for a bathing suit, and still my days are filled with counting strokes.” Calvin doesn’t answer his phone. He’s probably off enjoying himself out there. I put a kettle on and listen to talk radio while washing up for dinner. The background noise soothes me. Something about hearing other people’s voices — I don’t feel as lonely. The kettle’s ready. As I wait for my tea to brew, I wonder if I’ll rest well tonight. Some nights, I find myself thinking about just how big space really is. All that expansion.
Calvin doesn’t answer his phone. He’s probably off enjoying himself ... I put a kettle on and listen to talk radio ... The background noise soothes me ... I don’t feel as lonely. Time estranges us from ourselves. Sometimes I look in the mirror, see my features all scrunched up as though being swallowed by some sinkhole beneath my nose and I don’t recognize myself. I still see myself as a young woman. My hair’s short now. The older I get, the shorter I cut it. As a girl, I wore it down to my waist, even though combing it was difficult. I like to swim these days, in my old age. My mornings are spent at the community pool. The short hair is easier to deal with. With long hair, the burden
Some nights I think of all my regrets, and wonder if space is like that: No matter how close you think you are to reaching something, no matter how much bigger it seems to you, it’s still millions of miles away, and there’s so much open water to get through. That’s the thing about horizons. You never know when you’ve reached one, and there’s always one more to cross far, far ahead.
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (2/7/12) You're not in this alone. Let others give to you sometimes! Collaboration's a good idea. Education and research this year could include travel and first-hand experience. Financial discipline pays off. Give in to romance. To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a 6 Things could seem glued shut. Take extra time with hot, soapy water. Let things sit, and then the next time you try, there's progress. Use a gentle touch. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 7 Slow morning relaxation that glides into a comfortable afternoon would be delightful. Things could seem rough, so go with an easy flow. It all works out. GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 7 - A brilliant scheme could lead to more coins in your pocket. Assess your wins and losses, and get organized. Schedule for success, and plot your moves. CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 9 Think of ways to make money with new technology. If you don't try, you won't know if it works. Finish up a big project. The rewards of diligence are sweet. LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 9 There are plenty of opportunities to prove yourself today. Change your perspective and try again. Put down roots with a commitment. Work smarter, not harder.
BY NANCY BLACK, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 6 Your ability to make others think is attractive now, but you may not want to overdo it. Don't overlook a loved one's needs. Keep up the good work. LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 7 - If you don't fight off demons, you'll never know if you're capable of courage. You don't have to look far to find them. They're cruel to you. Succeed anyway. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is an 8 - Distractions are coming at you left and right. Focus on what's really important for you. Trust your intuition and a good friend. Listen consciously. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 6 - Think things over, just not too much. Be patient with your instruction. Odds are you're forgetting something, so write it down. It's okay if it goes slowly. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 7 - You'll find out what's needed. Trust in your ability to overcome obstacles, just like you've done before. A partner helps you communicate feelings. Relax. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 7 - Fine-tune your routine, and consider a someone's suggestion. You can't always get what you want, but don't let that stop you from trying. Review the instructions. PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is an 8 - Disruptions may threaten your busy schedule, but it's nothing that you can't navigate. Try a new approach. Great reflexes and imagination come in handy. ©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.
BY THE MEPHAM GROUP, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
SUDOKU
Difficulty Level: 1 out of 4
— Mason Schoen is a creative writing graduate student.
Instructions: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudokudragon.com
LO O K I N G T H R O U G H O U R L E N S
Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com ©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.
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CROSSWORD
UNDERCOVER PUP Staff Photographer Paige Nelson captured a photo of this sly dog doing his best to blend in with surrounding shrubs. What’s white on red with green all over? Ninja poof.
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ACROSS 1 Hook or Cook: Abbr. 5 For the calorieconscious 9 Purse handle 14 Fairy tale baddie 15 Ugandan baddie 16 Remove pencil marks 17 Completely destroy 18 Rikki-Tikki-__: Kipling critter 19 __ Carlo: Grand Prix setting 20 *Reason consumers purchase certain brands 23 Ankle artwork, briefly 24 Fathers and grandfathers 25 Bks.-to-be 28 *Bumbling beginner 35 Historic WWII bomber 37 Threat punctuator 38 Timber wolf 39 Mil. detainee who may reveal only the starts of the answers to starred clues 41 Paper purchase 42 Poll findings 45 Island state of Australia 48 *Hookups for computer peripherals 50 Dadaist Jean 51 Wish undone 52 Opposite of ’neath 54 *Financial analysts 63 Inventor Howe 64 Winslet of “Titanic” 65 “The rest __ to you” 66 Insurance giant
BY RICH NORRIS & JOYCE LEWIS, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com 67 “Did You __ See a Dream Walking?” 68 Int’l alliance 69 “Our Gang” dog 70 Ph.D. hurdle 71 Remove from power DOWN 1 Ear on your plate 2 Isla surrounder 3 Stiffly neat 4 Religious belief 5 Infielder’s untimely move 6 1998 Apple debut 7 DVR pioneer 8 Tough nut to crack 9 Advanced study group 10 Relaxed pace 11 Hindu princess
12 Regarding 13 Rounded end of a hammer 21 Uncommon, avis-wise 22 Much soughtafter clownfish of film 25 Gets all gooey 26 Nocturnal noise 27 Clearheaded 29 Brit : lie-down :: Yank : __ 30 Former Japanese capital 31 Trillion: Pref. 32 Kagan of the Supreme Court 33 TWA competitor 34 Plot a new route 36 Actress Anderson 40 Serious conflict 43 Assume as probable
44 Disparaging remark 46 Habitual pot smokers 47 Fraction of a min. 49 Ate like a bird 53 Thick-skinned beast 54 Kind of tide 55 Fonda’s beekeeper 56 Oven user’s accessory 57 Thorn in one’s side 58 Shankar with a sitar 59 Western natives 60 Biblical twin 61 Grooves in the road 62 Carpet cleaner’s concern