02-27-2014

VOLUME 100, ISSUE 46

THURSDAY, FEB. 27 - SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014

Get up-to-the-minute news @ thedailyaztec.com P2 / news

A.S. prepares for spring elections

PHOTO BY KRISTIAN CARREON

P4 & P5 / opinion

Black students reflect on the past

JORDAN OWEN, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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2 NEWS

FEB. 27 - MARCH 2, 2014

#SPRINGELECTIONS

A.S. gets ready for spring elections JACLYN PALUMBO

SENIOR STAFF WRITER

APRIL TESTERMAN STAFF WRITER

Every spring semester, all 56 positions within Associated Students open to the San Diego State student body, ranging from A.S. president to various council member positions.

This year, 57 students submitted applications to run for the 32 available elected positions, A.S. Vice President of External Relations Javier Gomez said.

Shortly after the election, 24 appointed positions will become available.

Of the elected positions, there are five available spots considered executive officer positions: president, executive vice president, vice president of university affairs, vice president of financial affairs and vice president of external relations.

According to A.S.’ Student Bill of Rights and Bylaws, elected executive officers receive compensation for the time they are in office. The five officers receive earnings sent directly to the university not more than the total cost of the officer’s tuition and campus fees. They are also provided the cost to live in off-campus housing.

With officers within A.S. serving as student representatives and taking responsibility for decision-making, students are highly encouraged to participate in the democratic process by running for a position or simply voting, election committee member Tyler French said.

“I just want everyone to run and everyone to vote,” French said. “Get out and get involved.”

French said last year’s restructuring was applied to create a more efficient and democratic system in A.S., something that has created a buzz around campus.

Last year, 18.3 percent of the student body voted, the highest turnout A.S. has ever seen.

To maintain last year’s voter turnout record, an increased marketing effort has been put into effect to ensure even more voters, French said.

“Our marketing team is working on different ways to raise awareness about the election taking place on campus through posters that are out and advertisements for the election in East Commons and West Commons,” Gomez said.

Gomez has been involved with A.S. since his freshman year at SDSU, and will be graduating this year.

“I loved every single minute of it,” Gomez

Associated Students elections begin on March 17. JENNA MACKEY, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

March 17 through March 20. Students said. “We went around talking to students, will be able to vote through a tab labeled getting to know the students, getting to “A.S. General Election” in know the problems and their SDSU WebPortal issues, getting to really account. know how the students All candidates are feel and what they “I just want required to have a want to see at SDSU.” everyone to run RedID so A.S. can There will be tabling keep track of who is and advertising by and everyone to running. candidates during vote. Get out and “It is very important election week, French to know that you are said. Each candidate get involved.” electing the right will be allotted $800 to - Tyler French people to make spend on the election decisions and get in total; candidates messages out there who can also fundraise and have your best interest accept donations to spend in mind,” Gomez said. “That way you know on their personalized campaigns. your voice is being heard.”

The general election will be open from

NEWS

FEB. 27 - MARCH 2, 2014

#SDSUBUDGET

3

SDSU budget explained: Part 2 LEONARDO CASTANEDA EDITOR IN CHIEF

LUKE HENNING

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR As discussed in The Daily Aztec’s previous budget explainer, state allocations are a key source of funding for California State University.

In 2013-14, California received almost $145.3 billion in revenue, mostly from personal income and sales taxes, as well as taxes on liquor, tobacco, corporations and more, and almost $7 billion in bonds.

That money is split up among the many state obligations—the largest is health and human services, which was allotted almost $46 billion, followed by K-12 education, which received nearly $40 billion.

Next is higher education, with a total allocation of about $11.4 billion. Out of that, the CSU system received more than $2.3 billion, or 1.6 percent of the total budget. The CSU Board of Trustees distributes those funds based on its own policy.

Starting in the 2013-14 fiscal year, Gov. Jerry Brown introduced a four-year plan for higher education funding based on four key points: annual state funding increases, tuition freezes, more freedom in capital project funding, and funding that isn’t tied to specific goals (such as enrollment numbers).

According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, Brown plans to continue this plan with his proposed 2014-15 budget.

The governor’s proposed budget has been criticized by the LAO for focusing on keeping tuition flat rather than accomplishing statewide goals such as “student access and success.” It also suggested ending the freeze on tuition increases and raising an additional $84 million for the CSU system from tuition and $125 million from the state.

As it stands, however, Brown’s proposed budget would increase state funding of higher education by 10 percent. At a new total of $13 billion, if public education in California was its own state, it would have the 34th largest state budget. That increase would represent a 3 percent increase in per-student funding in the CSU system. Brown’s plan calls for additional 4 percent increases in 2015-16 and 2016-17.

While Brown’s 2014-15 budget is still far from a reality, he seemed poised to continue

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his commitment to flat tuitions and increased state funding for higher education.

California State Assemblywoman Shirley Weber said though Brown is pushing for a flat fee rate, it is unlikely he will take direct action toward colleges, such as SDSU, that add many of their own fees on top of the flat CSU rate.

“It doesn’t make sense to punish schools that find their own way,” Weber said.

Tuition fees are set at a flat rate for all CSU schools. All school-specific fee increases must be approved by the CSU chancellor before taking effect, CSU Public Affairs Assistant Liz Chapin said.

“The state funding is distributed to each campus based on student enrollment,” Chapin said. “Outside of that schools may find other ways to supplement their income.”

The current flat rate for the CSU is $2,736 a semester or $5,472 a year for 6 units or more.

These fees will stay stable for the next four years because of Prop 30, Chapin said.

On top of the flat rate all CSU students pay, Aztecs pay $647 in additional mandatory fees, which is composed of the following: a $35 Student Body Association Fee; a $237 Student Union Fee; a $25 Health Facilities Fee; a $175 Instructionally Related Activities Fee; a $150 Health Services Fee and a $25 Library Use Fee. These are all known as Category II fees. This type of fee generally requires some measure of student approval through a student referendum or alternative consultation method in order for the CSU chancellor to approve the fee.

These processes are mainly carried out by the SDSU Campus Fee Advisory Committee, which then advises SDSU President Elliot Hirshman on proposed fee increases.

The forum process being used to discuss the proposed Student Success Fee is an example of alternative consultation.

“We chose alternative consultation because we think it will more accurately reflect the opinion of the student body,” CFAC member and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Kathy LaMaster said.

Now that the forums for the Student Success Fee are complete, CFAC will make a decision on Friday to either propose a new fee or revise its current proposal. Once the decision is made it will then be discussed with Hirshman.

If they recommend a fee he will then have to petition the CSU chancellor for any fee change to actually take effect.

Size Matters

California’s budget is the No. 25 largest budget in the world, larger than many other countries. That makes even relatively minor parts of the budget huge in total dollar amounts.

Higher Education

7.8%

California budget $145.3 billion

Finland’s national budget $136 billion

From 2013-2014 budget

From Finland’s 2014 budget

California State University

20.1%

California Higher Education

Utah’s state budget $12.8 billion

$11.4 billion

From 2013-2014 budget

San Diego State

6.2%

From Utah’s 2014 budget

City of San Diego budget CSU budget $2.3 billion

From 2013-2014 budget

$2.8 billion

From San Diego’s 2013-2014 budget

4 OPINION

FEB. 27 - MARCH 2, 2014

who’swho

#BLACKHISTORYMONTH

EDITOR IN CHIEF Leonardo Castañeda MANAGING EDITOR Ana Ceballos NEWS EDITOR Hannah Beausang ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Luke Henning SPORTS EDITOR Adriana Bush OPINION EDITOR Madison Hopkins ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR David Dixon FEATURES EDITOR Elisse Miller COPY CHIEF Caitlin Johnson ASSISTANT COPY CHIEF Erik Dobko COPY EDITORS Terence Chin Kelly Hillock Maria Del Carmen Huerta Elpin Keshishzadeh PHOTO EDITOR Monica Linzmeier ART DIRECTOR Carlos Jimenez PRODUCTION DESIGNERS Mark Anthony Santos Gabriela Flores

More than 200,000 demonstrators took part in March on Washington on August 28, 1963. COURTESY OF NATIONAL ARCHIVES

Reflections from a black student

With Black History Month coming to a close, our opinion writers discuss what it means to them.

MORGAN RUBIN

SENIOR STAFF COLUMNIST

Fall 2012 marked my first semester at San Diego State. I had just transferred from community college and was super excited to become an Aztec. As soon as I got here, I was completely enthralled by the beauty of the campus, the variety of educational opportunities, and the diversity of the faculty and students. It was an exceptional feeling. I was one step closer to reaching my dreams.

However, I didn’t expect that in a class size of approximately 150 students, there would be no one else who looked like me–there were no other black people.

During my first semester, this was the case for three out of five of my classes.

Those three classes, coincidentally, were classes directly related to my major, journalism with an emphasis in public relations, the other two were general education courses. Actually, I don’t think it’s a coincidence at all.

Coming to the realization that I was the only black person in most of my classes was something relatively foreign to me. I grew up in San Francisco where people ranged between every color out of the Crayola crayon box. So, being alone was a strange sensation, to say the least.

Then the oddest thing happened after fall semester—I didn’t notice it

anymore. On the surface, this was a good thing. I was no longer self-conscious, which was a relief. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem being part of a minority.

I’m proud of who I am and where I’ve come from, but recently, I’ve realized that I don’t have to just accept being a minority.

In order to better understand my situation, I have to take a look at the broader picture. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the number of black students enrolled in colleges and universities in this country has risen to 14 percent of the total student body, as of 2010. And out of those who do attend, only 42 percent actually graduate, as opposed to the 62 percent graduation rate of white students, according to a study by The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education.

Looking at SDSU specifically, you can see how these stats hold true. While white and Hispanic enrollment rates sit at

approximately 39 and 27 percent, respectively, the black enrollment rate is at a dismal 4.13 percent.

These numbers, both on a national and campus level, are not acceptable, especially in this day and age. It’s sad because encouragement for change seems to be lacking.

Black high school students see these statistics, and I’m betting a lot of them don’t feel inspired to make attempts at being the exception. That’s where we come in. We have to take it upon ourselves to make them feel valuable, while emphasizing that college is attainable and an essential part of a successful future. That is the only way there’ll be a significant change in the college enrollment rates of black students.

Despite this problem, I believe that SDSU does a lot to support black students and their involvement in organizations such as the Afrikan Student Union, the Black Student Science Organization, the National Society of Black Engineers and more. However, we still have a long way to go. In order to truly call ourselves diverse, we need to make it so that every race, gender, sexual orientation and religion is represented in as many areas of this school as possible.

As I finish my last semester at this university, I have a much better understanding of what it’s like to be black at SDSU than when I first got here two years ago. I still take notice when I’m the only black person in a class, but I’m no longer shocked by it. I now look at it as an opportunity to make a change for something that has been a problem for far too long.

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OPINION

FEB. 27 - MARCH 2, 2014

#BLACKHISTORYMONTH

5

Take the month out of Black History Month in situations when it shouldn’t have.

For example, when associates or BRIANA ALFORD friends have labeled me as their “black STAFF COLUMNIST friend” rather than just their friend, or when any word has preceded the statement, “for a black girl.”

February is always a ref lective month When Martin Luther King, Jr. made for me. Not only is it the month that his famous speech and spoke words my workload for the new semester of hope for his children to be judged starts to speed up and my birthday on the content of their character, not month, where I ref lect on the age I’m the color of their skin, I believe he about to turn. It’s also the month intended for Americans to view their dedicated to celebrating people whom fellow citizens as people of the same I share a racial identity with. I’m nationality versus emphasizing their talking about Black History Month. hyphenated ethnicities.

Every February, children in The U.S. is becoming more elementary school learn about famous interracial as the years go by.

African-American heroes, such as According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Harriet there was a 134 percent increase from Tubman. They hear stories about the 2000 to 2010 of half black/half white underground railroads and listen to children and 9 million people stated the speech, “I Have a Dream.” they are of mixed ethnicity.

Teachers dust off their history notes Out of these mixed people, 1.8 and give students information about million identify themselves as both African-American inventors, writers black and white. That number has and artists. The month of February, made a huge jump since the 2000 in its 28 days of glory, also brings to census and I’m sure the number will light African-Americans who aren’t as only grow in the 2020 census. well-known.

The younger Although I’m generations of adamant about children are now celebrating accustomed to culture and I love the idea of having classmates embracing celebrating black of different ethnicity, excellence. It’s the ethnicities, or this year I felt “history” part that at least being indifferent about exposed to them the holiday. gets me. in the media. As I have found for millennials, myself conf licted especially at San about the idea of Diego State, most know someone in celebrating black history, and on the an interracial relationship or have a other end of the spectrum wondered friend of another ethnicity. why such a holiday would need to take As a history nerd, I understand place in 2014. the importance of history. AfricanBlack History Month reminds Americans have existed in this African-Americans, along with other country, enslaved and free, for as long Americans, that black people are as our Founding Fathers have been still different from the American around. Black history is American population and because of that, should history, but it isn’t being portrayed have their own holiday. that way.

I can recall times in my life when my History teachers should incorporate blackness became a significant factor

Martin Luther King, Jr. Courtesy of National Archives.

black history into periodical topics, 365 days a year.

Historians could definitely bring more light upon African-Americans, such as Crispus Attucks, who was the first casualty of the Boston Masscare revolutionary protest in 1770.

There should be a truth to the history focusing on the good (MLK), the bad (the highly-controversial Malcolm X) and even the ugly, like the violent deaths of Emmett Till and Medgar Evers.

I love the idea of celebrating black excellence. It’s the “history” part that gets me.

If African-American history was prominent in history classes yearround, then Black History Month could have a whole different meaning.

Because African-Americans are so far removed from their African roots, it would be hard to relate to Africa’s traditions. But with many black references in American culture, such as jazz music, soul food and artwork

from the Harlem Renaissance, there’s much to celebrate.

America should take time to celebrate current or up-and-coming prominent African-Americans.

During the month of February, Americans can try to focus on current issues of African-Americans, such as finding a solution as to why African-Americans remain the most impoverished ethnicity in our country.

Although we now have an AfricanAmerican president, and the mayor of New York is in an interracial marriage with biracial children, we have also had many setbacks, such as the Trayvon Martin case.

Education is the way to inform people about history and continue the education of what we have learned that doesn’t work in the past. With the education of black history consistently fused into history, together we can work to create MLK’s dream and celebrate being American and not just our race.

Wherever, whenever.

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6 ENTERTAINMENT

FEB. 27 - MARCH. 2, 2014

#BLACKHISTORYMONTH

Inequality explored in screening JESSICA SANTOS CONTRIBUTOR

In honor of Black History Month, the library held a screening of the documentary, “Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity,” along with a facilitated discussion last week in the Leon Williams Room of Love Library.

Outreach librarian Gloria Rhodes introduced the event by explaining how she came across the film last year at the 26th annual National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education when screened by creative director Shakti Butler. Rhodes along with the rest of the library’s faculty, collaborated together in order to organize this and two other events for students and faculty.

The film honed in on the issues, causes and consequences of inequality in regards to racism by exploring the topic through the personal testimonies and opinions of people from different ethnicities, genders

and walks of life.

Rhodes originally approached Antwanisha Alameen-Shavers, assistant professor of Africana studies at SDSU to lead a discussion following the movie. In turn, Alameen-Shavers assembled faculty from different departments: associate professor of Africana studies Adisa Alkebulan;Assistant Professor of Women’s Studies; Sara Giordano and professor of Chicana and Chicano studies, Isidro Ortiz.

This assembly served to collect people of different backgrounds and to hear varying views from different perspectives.

“We need to bring the question of equity back into the discussion. We can’t leave it simply at the level of diversity.

There are studies that show diversity is not enough. If we really want to move to a racially just society we have to go beyond diversity,” Ortiz said near the closing of the discussion.

Art senior Sebabatso Matseletsele was among the audience of the

Movie examines racial issues. PHOTO COURTESY OF WORLD TRUST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.

documentary and found the diversity of perspectives during the discussion panel very informative.

“I thought it was insightful just to hear

from the different perspectives from the Africana studies, and also from the women’s studies professor that came in,” Matseletsele said. “I saw how race overlaps and how it’s not only one race experiencing this, but others as well. I took away from the film how far internalized racism goes.”

A recurring idea from the discussion was to become educated­—not only with the backgrounds and issues of other races, but also delving into the roots of an individual’s race and to become more knowledgeable about the issues at hand.

“I think the first step that we must take is to continue to educate ourselves.

Part of the reason why we have so much internalized racism is because we’re not quite clear who we are,” Alkebulan said.

Alameen-Shavers believes true diversity comes from understanding the people who create diversity.

“The film is a good starting point to start a discussion, but it is definitely not the end,” Alameen-Shavers said.

#DAKOTARINGER

Dakota Ringer shows promise as performer BRITTNEY PICKEI STAFF WRITER

Dakota Ringer will be featured in the dark musical, “Pal Joey.” PHOTO BY KRISTIAN CARREON

As a Theater sophomore at San Diego State, Dakota Ringer has a true passion for performing whether it’s on stage, playing the drums or singing his heart out. All his talents and skills make him a triple threat in the world of performing arts. At just 5 years old, Ringer started his acting career performing in shows for his church and singing in the choir. It was during this period of time that he would determine whether this was the career path he wanted to follow or not.

“I did church shows till I was about 10 and started to get bigger roles each time,” Ringer said. “I just started falling in love with it.”

Ringer was also heavy into sports. These passions, however, were hard to manage at the same time. Often times he had to choose whether to attend practice or try out for an audition. Eventually, when high school came around Ringer decided to fully commit to acting and attend a public arts conservatory called Coronado School of the Arts. It was during his high school years that Ringer enhanced his skills as a performer.

“Thirty-five-plus shows later, here I am. It’s been a long road up to this point, but it’s gotten me to where I am today,” Ringer said. “I’ve loved every moment and I hope it’s something I’m able to pursue either on film or on stage.”

Ringer has continued to dedicate a lot of time and effort into his acting career. Currently, he is pursuing a degree in theater

with an emphasis in performance, and has loved his experience so far at SDSU. He has been involved with several plays on campus including “Peter Pan & Wendy,” where he was the drummer and percussionist, as well as “Hay Fever.” This semester, he is looking forward to being featured in “Pal Joey,” “Jungle Book” and “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot.”

Opening this Friday, “Pal Joey” is a musical set in the 1940s.

Ringer plays a character named Deputy Commissioner O’Brian and is excited to tell us about his role.

“I’m basically playing a Chicago beat cop who follows a gangster who is scamming people for money,” Ringer said.

When asked what challenges he faced while playing his character, Ringer explained that “the hardest part was to get the language of the time period make sense. It is so different from the way we talk in the 21st century; our humor is just not the same as it was back then.”

In the future Ringer hopes to continue to perform either on stage or in front of the camera. He has spent most of his life doing musical theater, which is something he has grown comfortable with.

“One of my all time dream roles would be to play Shrek in “Shrek the Musical,” Ringer said. “The songs are just fantastic.”

Aztecs can watch Dakota Ringer light up the stage once “Pal Joey” opens this Friday.

ENTERTAINMENT

FEB. 27 - MARCH. 2, 2014

#MARISSANADLER

7

‘July’ highlights soulful evening RYO MIYAUCHI

SENIOR STAFF WRITER Before her brief break on tour, folk musician Marissa Nadler performed with her band at Soda Bar on Sunday, Feb. 23, playing songs from her new album, “July.”

After listening to “July” for some time, it was an experience to watch Nadler play the new album more in tune to a live setting.

As she began her set, Nadler let the sound of her guitar draw audiences closer to the stage. The guitar sounded dreamy, as it does on record. She sang alone at first, but soon her bandmates joined to play cello and viola for the rest of the set.

For the second song, the band played her current single “Dead City Emily.” When performed live, the cello and viola played a much stronger role in the song than what is heard on the album. The cello brought out the deep, heavy bass buried underneath the track, while the viola grew the song into something much bigger. All of the musicians involved made the performance a true band effort.

The escapist aspect of Nadler’s music came alive throughout her performance.

Her breezy vocals and distant-sounding guitars in “1923” transported listeners to a different time and place. Following through

Marissa Nadler sang beautifully about unconventional topics such as driving and the early 20th century. PHOTO BY CHELSEA MASSEY, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

her detailed lyrics was also a delight. When she sang about traveling in “Drive,” Nadler brought the audience with her in spirit.

Nadler and her band saved the song “Was It a Dream” toward the end. The tune featured a heavy guitar sound that set it apart from the rest of the set list. Heavy as it sounded, the guitars didn’t overshadow Nadler’s soft voice delivering the titular

chorus as chillingly as it sounds on record.

The final song of the night was “I’ve Got Your Name,” a short acoustic ballad.

Nadler’s lyrics were the star through her final stretch.

“Changed in a rest stop into my dress,” Nadler sang. “Be sure not to touch the floor.” She then sang about driving on the freeway and doing her eye makeup as she

entered New York. “I’ve Got Your Name” was not the loudest song of the night, but it spoke volumes. The song revealed Nadler’s ability to take listeners on her travels to feel the effects of distance. “I’ve Got Your Name” only lasted about two minutes.

For that little while, Nadler took Soda Bar attendees with her on route to New York, missing the one that got away.

8 FEATURES

FEB. 27 - MARCH 2, 2014

#STUDYABROAD

The must-have apps for traveling KELLY HILLOCK

SENIOR STAFF WRITER Studying abroad is atop many college students’ bucket lists, and at San Diego State many achieve that goal. More than 1,800 SDSU students studied abroad in the 2012-13 school year alone. Recently, the International Education’s Open Doors report ranked SDSU 30th in the nation for the total number of students studying abroad and No. 3 in California. Despite these rankings, traveling itself can be difficult and expensive. However, in lieu of pocket dictionaries and guidebooks, today’s technology gives travelers an easier way to maneuver their globetrotting.

Whether it’s a semester abroad or spring break plans, The Aztec’s guide to the best travel apps will benefit any traveler on any kind of trip.

XE Currency XE.com is one of the most reliable currency websites and its app is a reflection of that. The XE Currency app gives the latest, most accurate currency conversion for the world’s many currencies. The app operates without Wi-Fi by saving the most recent update so users can convert their currency without a connection. The app is customizable, allowing users to easily manage conversions across multiple currencies. This free app is available for most devices, including Apple, Android, Blackberry and Windows.

Google Translate Similar to the Google Translate web application, this app translates text between more than 70 languages. It offers both a typed and handwritten feature in addition to voice recognition, perhaps the most useful feature. The voice recognition feature allows users to speak and have those words verbally translated back to the user, allowing users to communicate with locals in a differnt country. While the accuracy of Google Translate isn’t perfect, it offers the ability to communicate in a foreign country without the inconvenience of shuffling through a pocket dictionary. This free app is available on most platforms.

Trip Splitter Trip Splitter is an app to revolutionize splitting bills.

The app allows users to divide travel costs among multiple

people, making it an easy way to keep track of IOUs. The app offers the ability to categorize paid and owed quantities and the option to send an email to participants with a breakdown of costs. It also offers currency conversion and finance management for a trip. Trip Splitter allows users to easily manage their money when traveling with friends, so no one is left paying more or less than their fair share. This app is available for $1.99 in the Apple store only.

For Less Guides The For Less Guides apps are compact city guides with all the information needed for navigating an unexplored place. The app exclusively features large metropolitan cities: London, New York, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Paris and Edinburgh. It should be noted that apps for different cities must be purchased separately.

However, the app works completely offline, allowing users to access city and metro maps without using Wi-Fi or a data plan. For Less Guides offers exclusive discounts on top attractions and restaurants, in addition to information on points of interest throughout the city. For what this app lacks in variety of places, it makes up for in its detailoriented offering for the selection of cities. This app is the most expensive on our list, priced at $13.99 per city and is available in the Apple store.

#FASHION

Designer reinvents sports fashion ASHLEY PICKEI STAFF WRITER

Clarisse De Los Santos was a sports fan who was frustrated with having to wear clothes that weren’t exactly flattering for her petite figure. This inspired her to start her clothing line, 4th & 1 Apparel.

“I was really tired of wearing kids jerseys or really bad stiff T-shirts that you have to cut up, trying to look cute while supporting my team at the same time,” De Los Santos said.

She started from the beginning doing her own research and designs. Taking a look at the classic styles of sportswear, De Los Santos changed the material, silhouette and graphics to form a whole new design more fashionable for women. She decided to tailor her line to universities to make cute shirts for college teams. A San Diego native, De Los Santos decided to start her line at San Diego State.

In the process of getting her license, she called the apparel advisor at SDSU and found out the bookstore was willing to carry her line.

“It was such a surprise,” De Los Santos said. “The bookstore carried a small order and was pretty much sold out within a couple of weeks.”

With great results at SDSU, she has no plans of slowing down. She hopes to branch off to other universities such as UCLA, Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley.

De Los Santos does everything herself when it comes to her clothing line, using connections to help her along the way. She draws her inspiration for designs from attending fashion shows, looking through magazines and seeing girls on the street. De Los Santos pays attention to everything around her, making sure to know what girls want and what is

trending.

De Los Santos worked for the same designer for more than four years, gaining experience first as a freelance sketcher and then as a product development manager. With this promotion she researched design, oversaw freelance sketchers and managed correspondence with overseas companies.

De Los Santos thought this experience was enough to start her own company, but she realized she was wrong.

“Once you start your own company, it’s a huge difference,” she said. “You do everything yourself; you don’t have interns and people don’t know who you are.”

Creating a brand presence was one of the hurdles De Los Santos had to face, but she started building up her brand by using social media as a tool to generate popularity and facilitate customer interaction. She’s working with sororities and clubs on campus to come up with designs that college students would enjoy.

She’s having a design contest on Instagram and the winning organization will help design a few pieces.

De Los Santos has advice for fashion entrepreneurs.

“Make sure it is your passion and you love it, because you are going to eat and breathe it for the rest of your life,” De Los Santos said.

She suggests pursuing an internship to work closely with the people who are doing what you want, so you can learn from them. Even if the job is small, it can lead you somewhere and to the right people.

She says to always go above and beyond in anything you do and people will notice.

With her success rising, De Los Santos is doing what she loves and taking each university one design at a time.

JORDAN OWEN, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

FEATURES

FEB. 27 - MARCH 2, 2014

#AUDIOCULTURE

9

Melodies and business unite at SDSU

Emily Sanchez, Megan Henry and Ace Antonio are part of the Audio Culture Events staff. Together, the team produces concerts and other musical performances. CHELSEA MASSEY, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Audio Culture Events is taking over the local concert scene and it’s music to students’ ears.

OLIVIA LITSEY

SENIOR STAFF WRITER San Diego State economics senior Ace Antonio has a vision that extends past the scope of the supply and demand curve in his textbook—a unique vision that involves throwing concerts for undiscovered musical artists.

That’s right. Antonio is the founder and president of Audio Culture Events, a company that produces concert events and promotes independent and Internet-based singers and musical groups.

According to the company’s mission statement, Audio Culture “seeks to provide independent artists with live performance opportunities and fans with unforgettable yet affordable musical experiences.”

Antonio has been interested in music for most of his life as a singer, songwriter and guitar player. As a freelance performing artist toward the beginning of his college years, he was able to learn about the music industry while meeting a lot of talented, aspiring musicians whom he felt were not receiving the attention they deserved. During the summer of last year, Antonio decided to act upon this injustice.

“One day I just decided, ‘I’m gonna create a logo and a brand name, and I’m gonna throw events under that name,’” Antonio said. And Audio Culture Events was

born.

Since then, Audio Culture has held a few concert events and the company team has grown to nine people, most of which are SDSU students. Two of the team members, Emily Sanchez and Megan Henry, are both hospitality and tourism management

“We want to really emphasize creating that connection between the performer and the audience. We don’t want to just trhow them up on stage and forget about them.”

-Ace Antonio sophomores with an emphasis in meetings and events.

Marketing Assistant Henry works to spread the word about Audio Culture to the public and helps the marketing and promotion directors complete their tasks. Booking Agent and Artist Relations Specialist Sanchez finds talent for the concerts.

“To me, that’s really exciting,” Sanchez said. “It’s not like I’m doing work on the computer, you know, it’s actually fun. I get to meet them (the musicians) and know them.”

In order to succeed in the midst of competition from big companies such as Live Nation, Audio Culture wants to focus on helping build the careers of Internet artists, which Antonio sees as an untapped

market in the industry. Because the company is essentially based in San Diego, Audio Culture mainly features local artists. The website has an entire page dedicated to the talent that has already performed or is yet to play at an Audio Culture event, as the exposure that artists receive from participation in the events can change their careers for the better.

“We want to really emphasize creating that connection between the performer and the audience,” Antonio said. “We don’t want to just throw them up on stage and just forget about them.”

In the grand scale of things, Antonio hopes for Audio Culture to eventually become more involved in the current trend sweeping the country—outdoor music festivals. He one day hopes to produce the first YouTube-based outdoor music festival, an event that would ideally feature all the biggest names online.

The Audio Culture team is preparing for its biggest event yet, AudioFest, coming in March. Hoping to make it an annual event, they are all working harder than ever to make this exciting new level of concert event a reality. Though the combination of a full course load and managing a new company sounds stressful in the least, their passion for music makes it all worth it.

“A lot of the time it doesn’t feel like work,” Antonio said. “I just love to produce events and I love music, and that’s what I do.”

Audio Culture Events has hosted several successful live music events. These performances typically showcase local talent.COURTESY OF ACE ANONIO

10

FEATURES

FEB. 27 - MARCH 2, 2014

#AZTECPRIDE

Instructor declares war on waste RICHARD FREELAND STAFF WRITER

Elizabeth Perez-Halperin is both a veteran environmentalist and an environmentalist veteran. In November, Perez-Halperin was one of 12 veteran “Champions of Change” recognized at The White House by U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz. PerezHalperin, awarded the title of “Veteran Advancing Clean Energy,” was lauded for serving America beyond her tours of duty.

The current San Diego State instructor set down her rifle and charged into a new battle: the campaign for clean energy.

“She’s extremely proactive,” Executive Director of New Initiatives and Outreach for the SDSU College of Extended Studies Wendy Evers said. “This, combined with her passion for working with veterans and promoting clean energy, has really set her apart.”

Perez-Halperin has taken up the fight for energy efficiency on multiple fronts, including education with SDSU’s certificate program in water management and landscape sustainability. The program, of which Perez-Halperin is an assistant instructor, maneuvers its students into the workforce. “‘Education to career’ is the informal motto,” Evers said.

Elizabeth Perez-Halperin’s military background inspired her work.COURTESY OF ELIZABETH PEREZ-HALPERIN

Perez-Halperin is similarly intent on developing skilled workers. She and her husband are the co-owners of a San Diegobased company called GC Green. The company readies its employees for the frontlines of the green industry, asking them what skills and positions they desire and locates jobs. The company, however, does not simply train needy workers; GC Green employs veterans.

“Veterans want to find a way to give back even after setting down their uniforms,” Perez-Halperin said.

She joined the military in honor of her veteran father. The service enlightened her.

“The military is the biggest user, and the

biggest abuser, of energy,” Perez-Halperin said.

She toured in both the second Gulf War and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, PerezHalperin noted the energy wasted on inefficient generators, the value placed on fuel chips, and the joke she heard again and again from marine friends: “If you want to find a marine squad, follow their battery packs.”

“Everything is connected” is PerezHalperin’s informal motto. To her, a connection between the military and green energy is in no way paradoxical.

“I think veterans of our generation are more aware and educated about green energy,” said Perez-Halperin.

Despite her experiences with inefficiency overseas, Perez-Halperin believes the military is abandoning the anti-green energy camp.

She speaks throughout the country about the relationship between the green movement and America’s safety as part of the Truman National Security Project.

“The military sees the writing on the wall,” Perez-Halperin said. “They see they need to change and the consequences if they don’t. When the military changes, the nation follows.”

Perez-Halperin’s cross-country travels highlighted San Diego as a paradigm for environmental responsibility and energy efficiency.

“A large portion of the country is far behind,” she said.

Mundane practices in San Diegans’ lives, such as recycling and turning off lights, do not pervade the rest of the nation in PerezHalperin’s experience. She advocates San Diegans to put their green practices in place wherever they go.

So how can a single SDSU student make a difference? Perez-Halperin fervently decries the myth that a single person can’t affect change, regardless of income or background.

“I’m the average American,” she said. “I just felt that I had to make a difference, and that I could make a difference. I felt that there’s got to be more out there.”

Basketball.

Concerts.

Football.

Theater.

Humor.

Print.

Politics.

Fashion.

Web. Movies.

Mobile.

Music.

We Know SDSU.

SPORTS

Feb. 27 - March 2, 2014

#aztecmbb

11

Aztecs ready to pound Bulldogs Matthew Bain

Senior Staff Writer Associated Press No. 13 San Diego State begins a tough, two-game road trip this Saturday against California State University, Fresno.

The Bulldogs are arguably the hottest team in the Mountain West. Their only loss in the last seven games came at Laramie, Wyo. The Aztecs know all too well how difficult it is to win there.

During that seven-game stretch, Fresno State senior guard Tyler Johnson has been on an absolute tear, averaging 19.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

The Aztecs are fresh off a resounding bounce-back win against San Jose State University on Tuesday. Yes, SJSU is the worst team in the conference, but the Aztecs made a conscious effort to score in the paint and make the extra pass. They moved the ball so efficiently that 12 SDSU players scored.

A MW power and a flaming hot team clash this Saturday in Fresno. Here’s where the advantages lie:

Offense By the numbers, SDSU and Fresno State are almost identical on offense. The Bulldogs average just 2.3 more points per game than the Aztecs and shoot the same field goal percentage. Fresno State lacks a solid presence on the offensive boards, though; SDSU has 84 more offensive rebounds than Fresno State.

I have to give the edge to Fresno State because it has more scoring options. Four Bulldogs average double-digit points per game, whereas the Aztecs only have two.

And when senior guard Xavier Thames plays poorly, SDSU struggles to score.

Sophomore forward Winston Shepard, junior forward Dwayne Polee II and redshirt freshman guard Matt Shrigley have shown they can fill Thames’ role on occasion, but haven’t done so consistently.

Edge: Fresno State

Dwayne Polee II, JJ O’Brien and Winston Shepard scored 12 points a piece against San Jose State on Tuesday. Kristian Carreon, Staff Photogapher

Defense

Intangibles

This one isn’t quite as close. All you have to do is look at the numbers. Fresno State ranks 98th nationally in points per game allowed and SDSU ranks third. The Aztecs allow their opponents to shoot 38 percent and the Bulldogs allow opponents to shoot 43.3 percent. Let’s just say it: It’s quite difficult to score against such a tall, big and fast defense as SDSU’s.

Edge: SDSU

This game can definitely be a trap game—Fresno State is a hot, underrated team with a streaky offense. The Bulldog crowd will try its best to make life miserable for the Aztecs. But I saw an SDSU team on Tuesday that played with renewed focus and motivation.

Everything the Aztecs did, they did with a purpose, even during warm-ups.

Edge: SDSU

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disclaimer

The Daily Aztec does not endorse or support and has no affiliation with the products or services offered in the Classifieds section.

P re d i ct i o n SDSU 72 Fresno State 63 You can watch the game this Saturday at 7:15 p.m. PT on CBS Sports Network or listen on The Mighty 1090 AM.

houses for rent 5BR/4BA, 2000sqft. XXL Bedrooms!

Located near SDSU. Parking, W/D, and fireplace. Available July 1, 2014. $3200.

(619) 985-9739. __________________________________

announcements Harley Davidson given away at no cost due to death of previous owner. Please contact pickettstephan@yahoo.com __________________________________

your paper.

12 THE BACK PAGE

feb. 27 - marCH 2, 2014

#adulthood

Nail-biting anxieties of adulthood

I

recently decided I was an adult. Oftentimes an anxious adult who resorts to nail biting until scolded by another adult.

Have you ever sat in the emergency exit row on an airplane? I have, and it was at that moment I started to acknowledge a surge in my responsibilities. This emergency-row situation was my initial acceptance of adulthood. If that plane was going down during my 45-minute flight to Las Vegas, I knew the responsibility of ensuring passenger safety was entirely on me.

This sense of sudden accountability for people’s lives encouraged me to skip the pre-Las Vegas adult beverage. Thankfully, I didn’t have to fulfill my duty and our plane landed safely.

Now that I am a full-fledged adult, where do I begin?

First, let me start with a coming-of-age conversation I recently had with my good friend.

“If I was magically placed in a business professional setting tomorrow, I’d run out of office-appropriate attire in four days, assuming that I would wear the same pair of work slacks for two days,” I said during

Annie beltran staff WRITER

our intense, life-altering conversation.

Afterward, my friend gave me a nice sweater from her closet. Although this Christmas sweater could pass as multiseasonal, professional and fashionable, my friend stands brightly at 8 feet 2 inches.

The nice multi-seasonal Christmas sweater is now a nice multi-seasonal sweater-skirt.

During my four-year stint with the U.S. Navy, I often pictured college as a place for professional growth. While students were out shopping for long rectangular picnic tables, red plastic cups and the cheapest possible furniture for a house full of roommates, my sailor friends and I would joke about how different our lives would have been if we had gone to college instead of joining the military.

I used to imagine that once I finished my military service I’d have a better idea of my professional direction. Then I walked off the Navy ship I would no longer call home and instantly remembered that during those four years I totally forgot to think about my professional direction.

When my nails became too short to keep gnawing at, I enrolled into this magical educational facility where my professional growth into adulthood was going to happen. No other incident has given me

words

64 “Jane __”

more of an adult-like sensation throughout my bones quite like my college acceptance.

This 25-year-old who stood eagerly in line for “The Lego Movie,” might be a role model. At least my niece looks up to me.

“I don’t think I’m going to brush my hair anymore, because you don’t brush your hair and it still looks cool,” my niece said to me before turning my new sweater-skirt into her new sweater-dress.

Before we move forward with my adulthood conundrums, let it be known that I do brush my hair. I just like that trendy messy look, very similar to Animal from “Sesame Street.”

As an adult role model, I think I’ll start making my bed and brushing my hair when my niece comes to visit my apartment.

What makes me an adult? Is it my ability to recognize and react to the responsibility I might have for other people’s lives in an airplane? Or that I’ve finally started pushing toward accomplishing some professional goals? Obviously by referring to “professional goals,” I’m referring to the conclusion that I could fly to space without any need to complete NASA’s astronaut requirements.

I guess what makes me an adult is my landlord, who every month threatens to ground me from my bedroom if I don’t be an adult and hand her a check on the first.

numbers

Down

Across

1 __ Club 5 Eat __ 9 Film __ 13 Sleep __ 14 Mata __ 15 “I’m __ you!”

16 “__ to please!”

17 __-steven 18 SWAT __ 19 Blank 22 __ of bounds 23 Electric __ 24 Blank 31 “It __ to reason” 33 “You’re taking a big __” 34 __-TURN 35 Good for what __ you

36 Costa del __ 37 __ Elevator Company 38 “I Like __” 39 __ the scales 41 San Diego __ 43 Blank 46 Hopping __ 47 Jacqueline Kennedy __ Bouvier 48 Blank 56 Quod __ demonstrandum 57 __ to one’s senses 58 Shed __ 59 __-Honey 60 “Rock of __” 61 From beyond the __ 62 __ nuts 63 “__-a-Cop”: 1988 film

1 X-Ray __: U.K. punk band 2 Take __: doze 3 Golda __ 4 “It’s the __ story” 5 __ of drawers 6 __ Shankar 7 __ Cakesters 8 __ circle 9 __ motel 10 “A Room of __ Own” 11 “Take __ a compliment” 12 CD-__ 13 “I’m in __”: “Wow!” 20 Soap __ 21 __ and potato soup 24 Van __ 25 Carry-__: luggage 26 Victoria __ 27 Olive __ 28 __-level 29 Peau de __: satin-weave cloth 30 __ 22-Across: solve 31 Set __ 32 __ torch 36 Day __ 37 “__ to Joy” 39 Suit __ 40 __ Series: auto races 41 __-à-porter: ready-to-wear 42 __ Joe 44 Caveat __ 45 Civil __: protest 48 __ Canal 49 __ for life 50 Rib __ 51 “__ to that!”

52 “Lord knows __!”

53 __ Abby 54 __ birth to 55 “... __ I saw Elba” 56 __ and flow

HOW TO PLAY: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box contains every digit 1 to 9.

Difficulty Level:

4/4

ALL SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.THEDAILYAZTEC.COM or IN OUR NEXT ISSUE’S CLASSIFIEDS CROSSWORDS, SUDOKU, AND HOROSCOPES COURTESY OF TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC., ©2014.

disclaimer

The views expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect those of The Aztec.

Express your concerns by emailing letters@thedailyaztec.com

arc.sdsu.edu

thefuture

thursday’s Birthday (2/27/14) - With disciplined focus, your garden overflows with abundance this year. Creatively, you’re on fire, especially through August, when career takes off. Make time for romance over summer and autumn. Balance home and work responsibilities with organization, partnership and communication. Everyone can help. Release stress with delicious food, exercise and rest. Love keeps your batteries charged. Indulge.

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

Aries (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a 6 - Surround yourself with friends. Ask them what they love about their lives, and what contribution they’d like to make to the world.

Listening is the key, so open up your ears.

Get a sweet surprise.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 6 - Let your partner do the talking first.

Advance your agenda together. Doublecheck the data. Then send out the news. Let others know what you need. Revise your resume to include recent work. Sign on the dotted line.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 7 - Get clear on practical details. Keep track of the numbers involved. Study the situation, and talk it over with someone experienced.

Unearth a brilliant idea. Together, you find the answer you were looking for.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 6 - Old business falls away as you grasp a new task ahead. Good communications increases efficiency. Manage responsibilities with integrity. Share what you want for the family. Open a new account. Set up structures for support.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 7 - Ask questions about the job. You’re seeking a mutual win. It’s not just beginner’s luck.

You’ve got the skills. Conclude negotiations in a stroke of genius. Spirit and mind connect. Review all details. Together, you’re much smarter.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is an 8 - Clean up your home communication center. Don’t overlook anything. You’re a master of your craft. A conflict of interests could provide obstacles. Account for every penny. Fix something before it breaks. Relax with a good book.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 6 - Complete your personal correspondence, and get the word out. It’s a great time for writing. Listen for your message, and express it clearly. Someone’s saying nice things about you. Include thanks and appreciations in your communications.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 6 - Express your affection. Let others know what you want, and listen for what they do.

You may be able to work out a trade. Keep track of your hours. Confidence and profit are on the rise. Luxuriate at home.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 6 - Use tried and tested techniques applied to your brilliant idea.

Confer with the family. Your commitment is bigger than whatever your considerations are. Evolve your ideals to suit a new perspective. Communicate your vision.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is an 8 - Agree to move forward with the plan. You’re fascinated by new ideas.

Discuss implications from current events, especially financial. Some of your theories can succeed. Listen carefully for advantage and opportunity. Write down profitable ideas.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is an 8 - Put your feelings into your work, and get playful. An unexpected reaction could be genius. Find a smarter way to spend.

Think before you speak. News could seem intense. There’s no need to seek a new partner.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 5 - Seek fresh inspiration. Find another way to work smarter. Negotiate for a better deal, when you discover a truth you hadn’t seen before. Sign off or cast your vote. Get lost in thought. Begin writing.