03-13-2014

VOLUME 100, ISSUE 50

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2 NEWS

MARCH 13 - 16, 2014

#ASRESTRUCTURING

Jury is still out on A.S. restructuring

The Campus Life Council holds its twice-monthly meeting in the student union. WESLEY BEIGHTS, STAFF PHOTOGRPAHER

One year after its implementation, A.S. restructuring may still need some work.

QUINN OWEN STAFF WRITER

San Diego State’s Associated Students’ recent restructuring has sparked debate among some students and A.S. members regarding the effectiveness of the new plan.

The series of amendments to the A.S. bylaws were implemented at the beginning of the Fall 2013 semester. The primary difference was the creation of four new groups: the University Council, the Campus Life Council, the Judicial Affairs Council and the Board of Directors.

Before the restructuring, the four groups had been centralized into a single A.S. council, with the only other source of power being in the five member executive board.

However, the sprawling legislative body was notoriously slow to act.

A.S. Vice President of External Affairs Javier Gomez said the new councils are specialized and focused. He said the restructuring was a five-year process that included research and discussion.

A.S. Executive Vice President Becca Cohen said she doesn’t have any problems with the new structure.

“I have definitely seen improvements to policies thanks to the current structure,” Cohen said.

While some A.S. members maintain that the structure has been beneficial for the organization and SDSU students, others disagree.

Campus Life Council Campus Community Commission Representative Hassan Abdinur said he thinks the system detracts from member interactions.

“The new system has some flaws,” Abdinur said. “With the different boards and councils it is difficult to have a unified discussion. The long period of time between council meetings means that it is difficult to discuss student issues.”

Abdinur also said the restructuring has made some processes convoluted.

“The new structure creates a challenging system where resolutions have to pass through a series of councils before they are

brought to a committee that is capable of making a substantial decision,” Abdinur said.

Educational Opportunity Program Student Advisory Board President Carla Sanchez said she has not seen improvements in A.S. representation.

“Last year, we were told that with the restructuring, EOP would have more repre sent at ion,” Sanchez said. “But we have never had anybody sit on a board or council.”

In the past, the EOP student advisory board has experienced difficulty applying for funding from A.S., Sanchez said.

“The time it takes for funding has not changed since last year,” Sanchez said.

“It still takes over two months to get funding, which makes it hard for us to organize club events.”

The A.S. restructuring has not solved problems such as these, Gomez said.

Sanchez pointed out that EOP is a relatively new organization, and there is a lack of support for new clubs.

Student-at-Large member of the A.S. Board of Directors Jessika Seekatz said she foresaw issues in the first year of the restructuring, but also expressed concerns for its future implications.

“Right now, one of my biggest concerns is the way that boards are isolated from each other,” Seekatz said.

The isolated boards are one of the reasons why the organization might be experiencing some first-year difficulties, Seekatz said.

A.S. President Josh Morse said he see no issues with the structure as it stands now.

“As we progress through the year, we may find areas that could be improved,” Morse said. “Those changes can be made via bylaw amendments. We are always looking forward to making A.S. better.”

The time it takes to get funding has not changed since last year.

- Carla Sanchez

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NEWS

march 13 - 16, 2014

#aselections2014

3

Who will be the next A.S. president?

Luke HEnning

Hannah Beausang

Assistant News Editor

News Editor

Name: Jonathan Cole Year: Junior Major: Finance Leadership experience:

Name: Gabriel Torres Year: Junior Major: Business administration with an emphasis in management

Leadership experience: • U.S. Army veteran • U.S. Army recruiter • College of Business Transfer mentor • Compact for Success mentor • SDSU Army ROTC cadet

Business administration junior Gabriel Torres has plans to empower San Diego State students to become the best they can be if he becomes Associated Students president.

“If I could accomplish only one thing, it would be to redefine what A.S. is capable of doing,” Torres said.

In order to accomplish this goal, Torres said he wants to change how A.S. operates at SDSU. “I think the number one thing I would focus on that I haven’t seen this year are programs that empower students,” Torres said. “Like programs that help them find exactly what they are passionate about and help them set goals for their education.”

Monica Linzmeier, Photo Editor

Torres said his goal with these programs is to help students graduate on time, with a degree in a field they are actually interested in. Torres said he wants to coordinate with Career Services to talk to incoming students as early as orientation to help them better identify what they want out of their education.

Torres also has multiple plans to reach torres continued on P11

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• Board of Directors for Associated Students • Events commissioner for the A.S. President’s Cabinet • Vice chair for the University Affairs Board • Financial Affairs Committee • University Affairs Board • External Relations Board • Audit Committee, Elections Committee • CASE (Aztec Student Union Board) • Intercollegiate Athletic Council • GreenFest Executive Committee • President of the Interfraternity Council • Student assistant at Student Life and Leadership • Peer Leadership consultant

Cole is affiliated with Sigma Phi Epsilon, Rotaract and the Business Honors Program. He is also part of the Student African American Brotherhood, Black Business Society, FratMANers and Sports Business Initiative.

Cole said he has a vision for San Diego State and plans to unify the university by making sure all student voices are heard.

Monica Linzmeier, Photo Editor

“My biggest goal is reengaging student groups on campus who feel like they have lost their identity with Associated Students,” Cole said. “Those students were a core of A.S. and brought a lot of great ideas.”

In addition to rebuilding bonds with student groups, he also plans to engage other facets of campus, such as ROTC cole continued on P11

4 opinion

march 13 - 16, 2014

who’swho 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 courtesy of Olivier Douliery, Abaca Press, MCT campus

#hiphop

Rap has 99 problems and the lyrics are one briana alford staff columnist

On any given Saturday in any club in San Diego, you’ll find masses of people laughing, talking and dancing. The mood of the club is filled with a lighthearted energy and suddenly that song comes on that gets every guy rushing to grab a girl and every girl twerking to her fullest.

The bass drops, the volume gets louder and everyone sings the chorus together, “To the window ... to the wall, ‘til the sweat drops down my … All skeet skeet.”

Something about the combination of the rhythm, the beat and the environment makes us forget about what is truly being said through the loud speakers. While we mindlessly listen to these lyrics, they infiltrate our brains subconsciously.

Even though we love to dance and listen to artists such as 2 Chainz and Tyga, I believe a majority of these songs are more influential to our lives than we think. These lyrics are restructuring how we think of love and relationships.

When last summer’s theme song “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke hit, it could be heard on the radio at any given time. Most people didn’t catch that the lyrics “I know you want it”, could come off forceful. Many people also may have taken a blind eye that all the men were clothed and the women were prancing around naked in Thicke’s video.

“Blurred Lines” sent feminist groups into an uproar stating that the lyrics were insulting women. Although Thicke claimed that he had no ill intent, it rubbed many women (and men) the wrong way. While the song is catchy, after examining the lyrics it made me think that maybe I didn’t “want it.”

Rap, a major genre of our generation, constantly receives shame for its misogynistic views and definitely plays a part in the mindset of my fellow millennials.

Rick Ross’ verse in “U.O.E.N.O.” stated, “Put molly all in her champagne, she ain’t

even know it. I took her home and I enjoyed that, she ain’t even know it.” The lyrics Ross raps aren’t even disguised by metaphors to make people guess; they are straightforward for society to view as if it’s acceptable. Ross received backlash and because the lyrics were so criticized from the public, Reebok dropped Ross as its spokesperson.

Jay-Z has also taught young men that you could have up to 99 problems, but yet, a girl will never be one. Was Shawn Carter stating this because he always treats his woman right, or because women could never be problematic since they are disposable?

On top of the misogyny that’s faced in hip-hop music, when a rapper does speak of heartache (i.e. Drake), the male community bashes him for expressing his vulnerability.

Are men supposed to be unemotional and devoid of all thoughts and feelings?

With these examples of misogyny in music, many women have been sensing that the music industry and men of the 21st century still don’t get what females want or need out of a relationship.

I can’t help but agree that many collegeaged men and women are looking for something casual. Some men love the idea of “having bitches” rather than having “the one.” There seems to be no backfire, since they’re glorified by their fellow male friends for having multiple girls versus that one girl they are committed to. It seems as if we are being rewarded on the quantity of partners versus the quality of one.

As much as I would like to blame this on the forever patriarchal country that we live in, I have to admit that the ladies do have a part in this. Lately, all I am being told is to twerk like Miley, pour it up like Rihanna, and post booty selfie shots in my white bikini like Kim K. With the influence of many female icons, this can create a distortion on what society considers a “lady.”

For preteens around in 2010, gender roles can be tricky. Women are on a tightrope, trying to balance between being a good girl gone bad, and not being too promiscuous at

the same time. The “lady in the streets but a freak in the bed” philosophy is becoming more complex and both genders are starting to wonder how to act in front of the opposite sex.

For women, if we’re too reserved, we’re prude, but if we’re too sexually open, we come across as loose. In the post-feministmovement world, being a lady is harder when you realize how wide the spectrum has become on what is acceptable.

So what exactly has American music come to? It makes me wonder if we really have progressed as a country from the highly patriarchal and sexually repressive country that we were in the early ‘60s. As I look deeper into the history of music, I see that there is a shift from my grandparents’ era. Thematic songs from the turbulent ‘60s, such as John Lennon’s “Imagine” or Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” brought unity and assisted the youth protests in stopping the Vietnam War. So my fellow millennials, all I’m asking is to take time to think of what you want our prime days to represent. What do you want the theme song of our generation to be? As catchy as the song is, I’m pretty sure “We Can’t Stop” will be embarrassing to our grandchildren. Music is the soundtrack to our lives and the music that we choose to listen to will represent us in decades to come. It’ll mold what the history books have to say about our generation.

It’s okay to let loose while listening to music, but keep in mind of what you hear.

You don’t have to hook up with numerous people because a Tyga video made it seem glamorous, and you don’t have to feel bad if you Drake-and-drive and end up cuddling with a person that you do truly care about.

The more that we are aware, the more we can change how we are perceived. If millennials refuse to give attention to dense misogynistic lyrics, then more positive and thought-provoking songs might come our way. Then maybe, like the baby boomers, we can look back at our generation’s music with pride for making a progressive impact.

Photo Editor Monica Linzmeier Art Director Carlos Jimenez Production Designers Mark Anthony Santos Gabriela Flores Web Editor Victor Escoto _____________________________________ Advertising Director Jesse Castañeda A.s. Sales Manager Jordan Kato Account Executives Tony Disarufino Chase Gillmore Matt Kilefner Radbeh Rabaz Marissa Walsh Adam Zabel Accounting & Contracts Michael Bratt Kim Le Public Relations Kelly Hillock Christina Koral _____________________________________ General Manager Jay Harn Graphics Specialist Christopher Blakemore _____________________________________

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OPINION

MARCH 13 - 16, 2014

#A+REVIEW

5

A+ Review doesn’t cheat the system MADISON HOPKINS OPINION EDITOR

Flashcards? Check. Notebook? Check.

Highlighters? Check. Intricate reviews compiled of study materials, homework and potentially even past exams? That one may be a little harder to come by, unless you know where to look. Some students at San Diego State know where to find it, and it’s right down the street.

A+ Review is a tutoring service that directly caters to SDSU classes. It offers periodic six-hour-long “super reviews” that coincide with the exams from select classes, but is not officially affiliated with the university in any way.

According to the A+ Review website, the mission of this service “is to expertly prepare our SDSU students to score very high on their exams. One way we accomplish this goal is by continually improving our materials and teaching ability.” These materials have become a point of contention for SDSU faculty and students. The service is rumored to give students the exams from previous semesters for the class they are currently enrolled in, thus raising questions about whether using the service is a form of cheating. A+ Review even forbids students from mentioning the review or any study materials in front of professors. However, as of now the accusations have never been proven, leaving some members of the university’s faculty to question the validity of the service without the ability to take any action.

Mike Scrivener, the owner and founder of A+ Review, was a former accounting instructor at SDSU. According to him, he began to hold reviews in the same style of the “super reviews” during his time on campus. He believes the school administration didn’t approve of these teaching tactics and therefore didn’t ask him to continue working at the university the following semester. So he moved down the street and continued to serve students on his own. He denies any allegations of stealing exams. In fact, he has quite a different idea as to why some professors disapprove of his services.

“Why do these professors have such a problem with free-market private

If a test is easy enough to where simply studying old exams allows students to ace it, there’s a problem with the test, not the student.

COURTESY OF THINKSTOCK

instruction?” he said. “I think it runs deep. I think it’s political. I think they are probably embarrassing the liberal academic system. The most powerful union in California is the professors’ and teachers’ union … They feel like only government has the right to teach people, that they should have a monopoly on teaching and it’s their way or the highway.”

According to A+ Review, students who attend their review sessions generally score between 10-20 percent higher than the class average on exams. While there is no way to directly prove this number, I can say from experience that it at least helped me. Out of three exams in my Statistics 119 class, I chose to study the oldfashioned way for the first one and failed.

After that, I wised up and paid a visit to A+ Review because I had heard so many wonderful rumors about it, even though it was conveniently never mentioned in my classes. I went, studied and focused incredibly hard for six straight hours, received the infamous test packet, and aced

my next two exams. I have no idea if any past exams were included in the packet, but whatever it was worked.

I, along with several other Aztecs, worked hard for those grades. That’s why I found it quite disappointing that I was forbidden from mentioning the service in my classes and that I have never once heard a professor suggest A+ Review as a valid tutoring option. So the question became, why exactly do professors resent this service so much?

Stephen Blum is a finance lecturer at SDSU, and his class has an A+ Review counterpart for both exams and homework assignments. Blum said his students who use A+ Review may score well on the exam, but the grade doesn’t usually reflect any real understanding of the course material.

“They have no mastery of the subject whatsoever,” Blum said. “(A+ Review) just programs them basically.”

He went on to explain that he copyrights all of his course materials and that A+

Review slips past this obstacle by only slightly changing numbers and wording, while still using essentially the same material.

“It’s a joke, it’s a disservice, it’s dishonest,” Blum said. “I don’t understand why the university can’t shut them down, but they’re obviously letting (A+ Review) perpetuate this fraud and it’s wrong.”

Jon Baumunk, an SDSU accounting lecturer, didn’t see any legal issue with the service, but reiterated Blum’s question of the usefulness of this kind of education.

“For students to do well in my class, cramming is not going to serve them well,” Baumunk said. “Problem-solving skills are not the kind of skills that you can get in a single-sitting type format. Problem-solving skills are developed over weeks or months, sometimes even years.”

So the general response is that A+ Review isn’t the best way to study and the service’s information gathering techniques may not be the most ethical. I understand and even agree with both of those ideas, but struggle to see how they would warrant labeling the practice as cheating.

For one, if students choose to cram for a test and only learn exactly what is going to be on the exam, it’s their choice. Sure, they will probably forget everything they learned the second they put their pencils down, but that’s their problem.

Second, the use of old test materials, taken with permission or not, shouldn’t be a concern to current students. If a test is easy enough to where simply studying old exams allows students to ace it, there’s a problem with the test, not the student.

I sympathize with professors who teach classes that have A+ Review counterparts. They are at a disadvantage in that they need to create new exams each semester. But considering that is the job of a professor, my sympathy ends there.

Labeling A+ Review as wrong or cheating simply frightens students away from a helpful service because of the biases of the competition. College students are adults with the right to choose their own method and quality of studying. If there truly is no legal issue with the service, then it’s time it was recognized by the school as a legitimate organization based on teaching, not cheating.

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6 SPORTS

MARCH 13 - 16, 2014

#GOLFTEAM

Schauffele honored at San Diego Classic RAFAEL AVITABILE STAFF WRITER

The San Diego State men’s golf team was unable to defend its 2013 title at the Lamkin Grips San Diego Classic on Tuesday, finishing in second place among the field of 13 at the San Diego Country Club in Chula Vista.

SDSU finished day one of the tournament at an impressive mark of six under par, and led the University of Southern California by four strokes through 36 holes before USC fired an eight-under final round to secure the team title. The Aztecs, ranked No. 38

by Golfstat, were coming off of a win at the

SARA SMITH, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Jones Sports Invitational in Somis, where they edged No. 22 USC by one stroke.

Representing SDSU in the winner’s circle was junior team captain Xander Schauffele, whose 11-under cumulative score earned him medalist honors for the first time this season. Golfstat’s 99th ranked Schauffele highlighted his performance with two fiveunder 67s in the first and final rounds, which tied the lowest 18-hole score of the tournament.

“I had a rough start to my round. I was a little tentative,” junior Xander Schauffele said. “In the middle of the 36-hole day I

found a stretch of nine to 12 holes where I started hitting it really well, and actually capitalized on my good ball-striking.”

Schauffele’s lone bogey in the first round came on the par-3 sixth hole, which played as one of the tougher holes with an average score of 1.08 strokes over par. His next bogey didn’t come until the ninth hole of his second round. In that 20-hole span, Schauffele dropped seven birdies including three in a row on holes 14, 15 and 16. An early bogey on the third hole was the only blemish on his final round scorecard, but was quickly forgotten after he answered with

three straight birdies on four, five and six.

Although he was red hot, Schauffele did not coast through the back nine by any means. Nursing a two-shot lead over his playing partner, freshman Rico Hoey of USC, Schauffele stepped onto the drivable par-4 17th with a tough strategic decision: to lay up or go for the green. Hoey’s drive landed short and rolled onto the front portion of the green, about 50 feet from the back pin placement.

“I was a little nervous, I had some adrenaline going obviously. I knew I had a two-shot lead,” Schauffele said. “I just ripped the drive. Right when I hit it I knew it was perfect.”

Schauffele’s drive carried roughly 300 yards on the fly, landed perfectly in the middle of the green, and rolled about 10 feet past the hole. The eagle but lipped out, but Schauffele matched Hoey’s birdie and maintained his two-stroke lead going into the final hole.

A green in regulation and a two-putt was all the 2013 All-Mountain West honoree needed to secure the individual victory.

The Aztecs will have a quick turnaround as they prepare for the National Invitational Tournament in Tucson, Az. starting on Friday.

SPORTS

march 13 - 16, 2014

#aztectennis

7

Florez, leader off and on the court Anthony reclusado staff writer

Sports have the power to change lives, and that could not be any more true for Juan Florez. Tennis was the bridge from his native country of Colombia to his college education in the U.S. Growing up playing tennis with his father, Florez quickly fell in love with the sport. He soon dominated the tennis circuit in Colombia, ranking nationally in the top five at the ages of 14, 16 and 18. So it was not surprising that he received multiple offers from a variety of universities, but San Diego State had the ultimate edge.

“I liked the coaching staff and knew it was going to be helpful to me to evolve my game,” Florez said. “SDSU was highly ranked in Division I play and very competitive.”

In his senior year Florez has only one objective in mind and as a leader it is not only success for his own game, but for the team.

“As a senior I try to get the entire

team together with (Nicholas) Hunter and try to be a good example for the underclassmen,” Florez said. “Also, a personal goal of mine is to give the best I have for the team in the last two months that I have with them.”

This season, Florez has an 8-5 overall record, but is only 3-4 in dual play including 1-2 in Mountain West play.

He has never finished a season with a losing record or with more than two losses in conference play. He said that his play is not affecting his mentality and is confident that he can turn this season around.

In the classroom, Florez is majoring in business administration with an emphasis in management and aspires to either work on a Masters degree at SDSU, or go back to Colombia with a U.S. education to open his own business.

He feels as though the lessons he learned from tennis will help him no matter what he decides to do after this year.

“Whatever I decide to do, I know tennis has helped me grow as a person,

Juan Florez Juan Florez. kelly smiley, staff photographer

to develop good habits in my life, and to think about the people I have around me,” Florez said.

Florez believes that if one tries to do the right thing then everything will take care of itself. It is clear that this holds true with him as he always attempts to do what he

feels is right for himself and his family, and so far everything has fallen into place for Florez.

“I knew tennis would help me to come to the U.S. and get a college education,” Florez said. “When I do go back to Colombia it will help further my life and my family’s.”

8 ENTERTAINMENT

March 13 - 16, 2014

#childishgambino

Rap concert was far from childish alek sanchez staff writer

Aztecs were treated to a special night last Monday as Childish Gambino, aka Donald Glover, took over the Cal Credit Union Open Air Theatre. Fans were spotted lined up outside the gates as early as noon time, eager for an exciting show.

As the clock hit 7 p.m., students snaked their way into the theatre, many of them hoping to make it into the pit that night. Concertgoers were encouraged to download Gambino’s “Deep Web App,” specifically created for his new tour. The app gave fans the ability to uniquely interact throughout the concert, with one of the most notable features that allowed fans to write and draw out special messages which later showed up on stage.

Though it was an unconventional route (not everyone wants to be on the phone throughout an entire show), it’s certain that Gambino is working to blur the lines between the Internet and real life.

Gambino took to the stage in energetic fashion. Backed with his own house band, he delivered hit after hit from his sophomore album, “Because the Internet.” Longtime fans were given a treat as he performed a quick mash-up of his older hits, including “Freaks and Geeks,” “Bonfire” and “Yaphet Kotto.”

Set pieces littered the stage to accentuate his storytelling ability, with animated visuals transitioning him from one song to another.

Childish Gambino rapped to some of his more popular songs, including “3005,” “Sweatpants” and “Worldstar.”

Writer and actor Donald Glover showcases his rapping skills as his famous alter ego, Childish Gambino. wesley beights, staff photographer

The crowd came alive as he performed some of his bigger hits, such as “3005,” “Sweatpants” and “Worldstar.” The crowd seemed insistent to hear song after song rather than stepping back, enjoying the performance and embracing Gambino’s keen sense of storytelling.

San Diego was even given a shout out as Gambino took over the mic to deliver a killer “San Diego” freestyle. Accompanied

by the immensely talented house band, this small break in the “Deep Web” story really highlighted Gambino’s knack for clever wordplay and top-notch flow control. The curtains came to a close just before 9:45 p.m. Fans weren’t ready to go home just yet as they called out to him for one last song.

Lucky for us, Gambino couldn’t say no to San Diego. Performing a medley of

older tracks dating back to his mixtape days, Gambino kept the party going for a little bit longer. Though it was a steep ticket price for what turned out to be more than an hour and a half performance, Gambino was a one-man show, full of unbelievable energy as he fed off the crowd and gave it all back in return. We hope to see him in San Diego again soon.

#lydialoveless

Poignant country artist has nothing to hide ryo miyauchi

senior staff writer Country musician Lydia Loveless hides nothing on record. In her songs, Loveless shares her midnight lust and vices openly with no regrets. Her honest storytelling is what makes her new album, “Somewhere Else,” a wild and exciting ride. Loveless is currently touring in support of her new record, and will be performing in San Diego at the Seven Grand Whiskey Bar on Thursday, March 20.

Loveless keeps things upfront in her music, and “Somewhere Else” follows that trend. From the beginning of the album, Loveless is already a few drinks in as she dials in “Really Wanna See You” and drunkenly makes out in “Wine Lips.” But while she lets her lust be known, the singer also confesses shame. She is well aware that she is too sloppy for her own good, and Loveless makes her music more personable by not forgetting to show off her flaws.

When sober, Loveless sounds tough as nails. Her previous album,

“Indestructible Machine,” has the singer calling out whoever has done her wrong with a fearless attitude. In “Can’t Change Me,” Loveless defends her independence while she fights against infidelity in “How Many Women.”

Nothing is out of hand for Loveless. No one stands a chance.

Her writing may feel heavy with lust or anger, but Loveless keeps her music sounding welcoming and friendly. The guitar sound in her melodies draw between raw electric blues and twangy country. Her upbeat tunes feel light but never too soft, while her angry songs sound tough but never too aggressive.

She refines her rough yet friendly sound in “Somewhere Else,” and the result is a record made for the pop charts without compromise of her vision.

Because of the electric atmosphere of her music, Lydia Loveless should translate better live. Through the amps, the live guitars should sound rougher and more thrilling than what is heard on record. Most importantly, the lyrics of Loveless should resonate the best coming from the live voice of the singer herself.

Country musician Lydia Loveless sings honest songs dealing with imperfection. courtesy of lydialoveless/com

FEATURES

MARCH 13 -16, 2014

#STPATRICKSDAY

9

The Aztec’s St. Patrick’s Day guide

For those 21 and up: ShamROCK, Saturday, March 15 The 19th annual music festival block party blowout starts at 4 p.m. and ends at midnight, leaving plenty of time to roam the 150-foot pub while listening to live Irish bands and DJs. Irish dancers and bagpipers will perform in addition to San Diego’s own Irish rock band, The Fooks.

General admission tickets are $40 and $45 the day of the festival.

Irish 4 A Day, Gaslamp Quarter, Saturday March 15: From 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., partygoers can visit 18 different nightclubs and bars without a cover

For those not into the bar scene: St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival in Balboa Park, Saturday, March 15: The 34th annual parade presented by the Irish Congress of Southern California starts at 10:30 a.m., with more than 120 entrants and thousands of attendees. Be on the lookout for floats, marching bands, police and fire department units, bagpipe players, dancing groups, the parade’s iconic Smiling Irishman and more. This year, the theme is “celebrating people in public service.” Afterward, head on over to the Irish Festival for food, craft booths and two beer gardens to keep the adults happy. Live entertainment at the festival’s stages from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. features folk singers and folk singing groups. Stop by the Celtic Village and be transported to the year 1582 to learn a little about renaissance history. The entire event is free to the public.

For those who want to party on Monday: 710 Beach Club’s 24 Hours of St. Paddy’s Day: This celebration has musical entertainment, their “Party Like The Irish” bikini contest, food and drink specials—and they even promised a leprechaun to make an appearance at the minibar. Plus, 10 chances to win $10,000 with five qualifiers chosen each day.

What’s better than rolling in the dough on the luckiest day of the year?

Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery at Mission Valley: Known for its scantily-clad waitresses, this eatery has drink specials all day and a beer garden starting at

2 p.m. DJs will provide live entertainment, followed by Claddagh Irish dancers, bagpipers and a leprechaun. Patrons can even purchase a $3 shot of “good luck”— whatever that is.

Effin’s Pub and Grill: The party lasts from Sunday to Monday with bottomless food, green beer and mimosas for $20.

Then starting at 4 p.m. on the hour, every hour, on Sunday (the official start of St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland), Jameson Irish Whiskey specials go for $3. Want to get an early start come Monday? They’re open at 6 a.m.

Whether you find yourself at a bar or scarfing down traditional favorites such as shepherd’s pie or corned beef and cabbage, may the luck of the Irish be with you as you celebrate yet another holiday you don’t know the meaning of. Besides, who is St. Patrick anyway, right?

TH IN KS TO CK

Emerald. Lime. Jade. Whatever shade you prefer, it’s time to break out the green. For those of Irish descent and those who use the day as an excuse to chug beer while donning leprechaun hats, St. Patrick’s Day is this Monday. Now it may not be ideal for the biggest springtime bash to fall on a weekday, but lucky for you (pun intended), the festivities will be in full swing starting this weekend. So break out your “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” T-shirts and prepare for a nonstop party at one of these events that are sure to start your celebration off right.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, North County/Downtown Vista, Sunday, March 16—Set in Vista’s historic downtown area on Indiana Avenue and Main Street, the parade kicks off at 11 a.m. for its third annual celebration. The festival lasts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and showcases vendors and entertainment from cities in North County. There will be children’s crafts and activities for the kiddos.

OF

STAFF WRITER

charge, complete with 11 “welcome shots” at San Diego’s most popular bars.

This party train promises leprechauns and Irish fairies that lead you from McFadden’s to Stingaree nightclub.

Tickets are $49, with VIP options available and a promo code that gets you $5 off admission if you purchase before the day of the event.

COU RTE SY

VICTORIA VALENZUELA

#ARTSALIVE

Music performances and art exhibits graced Montezuma Hall on March 6. Art pieces will be on sale and critiqued at the Student Award Exhibition on March 27. KEVIN SERRANO, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Student art stuns at showcase MELISSA ARTOBELLO STAFF WRITER

March 6 was a big day for Arts Alive SDSU. In celebration of the grand opening of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union, the committee consisting of students, professors, and faculty, set up workshops, exhibits and performances to explore arts and tradition.

“We’re trying to increase everyday exposure that San Diego State students have with art,” tourism and hospitality management senior Charlotte Hubble said.

Hubble is a part of the logistics team of Arts Alive SDSU, a committee that works toward spreading and bringing awareness of fine arts on campus.

“Around 1,200 people saw different art forms from SDSU students,” College of

Professional Studies and Fine Arts Director of Community Engagement and Innovative Programs Randy Reinholz said. “What a wonderful day it was for Arts Alive SDSU.” “Showcasing the power of arts at the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union means a lot to the students studying arts,” Interim Director of the School of Art, Design and Art History Kotaro Nakamura said.

The art that was showcased was a preview of the artwork that would be for sale at the Student Award Exhibition on March 27. This student art exhibition will be the 16th annual juried exhibition of upper division and graduate student artwork. The exhibition began in 1999 to demonstrate the university’s support of artistic excellence and diversity in student artwork.

Professors are asked to choose the best of their art and design students to submit artwork for the exhibition. There are many types of artwork submitted for the exhibition such as paintings, graphic design, ceramics, jewelry, sculptures and furniture.

“People love technology and welldesigned devices have heavy human interface elements such as how it feels in your hand, looks, navigation sequence and motion,” Nakamura said. “All of these are products of visual literacy education through arts experience. The student projects selected for the exhibit convey complex emotion in effective ways.”

The submissions are judged by a panel of art and design faculty, and the chosen

pieces of art are showcased in the Everett Gee Jackson and Flor y Canto galleries in Art South from March 17-27. March 27 is the awards ceremony where the president, PSFA dean, College of Arts and Letters dean and other faculty members receive purchasing awards of $1,000. The SDSU Art Council and jurors will also be giving cash awards of up to $500. Outsiders and students are also able to purchase some of the artwork if they wish.

Not many people know about the Student Award Exhibition, which is why Arts Alive SDSU jumped at the opportunity to bring awareness and showcase student talent during the grand opening week.

“It is good to experience the power of arts in the everyday context,” Nakamura said.

10 FEATURES

MARCH 13 -16, 2014

#STUDYABROAD

Explore exotic lands this summer CHELSEA BAER STAFF WRITER

Have you always wanted to study abroad, but felt you never had the time in your schedule? This summer is your chance to go international. Take advantage of amazing opportunities to soak up some culture while earning three to six credits in a new land.

The College of Arts and Letters is offering an assortment of exciting destinations open to all students, regardless of their major. San Diego State faculty members accompany students on each of these journeys. But act quick because March 15 is the final day to submit an application.

For students with questions about any of these programs, Melissa Bolthouse from the International Programs office for the College of Arts and Letters has the answers.

She wants to help make studying abroad an intrinsic part of the educational experience.

“I am proud to be a part of something that I think is one of the best parts of academia,” Bolthouse said.

The website has been recently updated as “part of the drive to centralize information and make it easier for students to search,” Bolthouse said.

Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Letters Eniko Csomay will be traveling

with students through Central Europe this summer. She has traveled abroad with students before, and loves accompanying them on their intellectual journeys.

Csomay believes that studying abroad should be an assumed part of a student’s education, and fully supports CAL’s programs.

The planning process for each of the programs is intensive and detailed, but it is all under control.

“There is a very coherent group here,” Csomay said.

For students who feel that cost is an issue, there are many avenues of financial aid.

Checking with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, International Student Center or the major’s department can be beneficial. Also, Associated Students has generous scholarships available for students traveling to another country to study.

The Institute of International Education’s new Open Doors report ranked SDSU as 30th in the nation and 3rd in the state for the number of students studying abroad.

With such a strong program and a vast variety of destinations, every student should look into taking a step outside of their comfort zone and embracing a new culture.

A few of the locations offered this summer include:

Jamaica: Learn about “Gender in the Caribbean: Colonialism to the Present” from May 18 - 27 at the University of the West Indies.

Cuba: Dive into Cuba’s history, politics and economy May 20 to June 11 at the Centro de Estudios Martianos.

Barcelona, Spain: ¡Ole! Earn 6 units of SDSU credit surrounded by the rich culture that Spain has to offer May 26 to June 24.

Florence, Italy: Spend your summer in the Italian sunshine, breathing in the history of the city and indulging in gelato May 30 to July 10.

Central Europe: Experience all that Eastern and Central Europe have to offer May 31 to June 26, traveling through Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic and Transylvania.

Shanghai, China: Take in China’s ancient history while learning about the culture and modern business practices of the country May 3 to June 15 in a program taught by SDSU professors and scholars from China.

Beijing, China: Another opportunity to fall in love with China is offered on the campus of Capital Normal University June 7 to July 6.

Istanbul, Turkey: Get a taste of Turkey June 14 - 28 at Bahcesehir University, located on the European side of the

country. Students will study the economic, social and political issues that Turkey is facing today.

There is plenty of space left in all of these programs. If you feel the time crunch, similar programs will be offered throughout the 2014-15 academic year. Be a part of SDSU’s reputation as a top school for studying abroad. Be adventurous, be international.

A street corner in Barcelona.

DAVID HERNANDEZ, STAFF WRITER

Basketball.

Concerts.

Football.

Theater.

Humor.

Print.

Politics.

Fashion.

Web. Movies.

Mobile.

Music.

We Know SDSU.

NEWS

march 13 - 16, 2014

Continued from P3 Gabriel torres

out to the community in ways which he hasn’t seen A.S. try before. One of these ideas is a weekly coffee hour during which A.S. executives meet with different student organizations on campus.

“I think it’s common that we lay back and wait for students to come to us when really as leaders we should be going out to the community,” Torres said. “One thing I have learned from the military is that a leader goes to the source.”

Another program Torres plans to implement is a student-professor meeting program inspired by “dining with a professor” programs that he said are common in Ivy League schools. This program makes students choose a professor they would like to meet with and the university then pays for the student and the professor’s meal.

“The point of the program is to alleviate stress I think students feel with office hours,” Torres said. “It helps students and professors to open up to each other.”

Torres said some of the issues he has with A.S. are the changes brought about by last year’s restructuring.

“The restructuring has definitely not been beneficial to every group on campus,” Torres said. “There is a lack of communication between A.S. and student organizations.”

According to Torres, the disconnect between the different parts of A.S. is mainly the responsibility of the executives, not

Continued from P3

student organizations. In order to alleviate this problem, he plans to work with the other executive officers to reach out to organizations that have been left behind by restructuring.

Torres is also critical of the recent Student Success Fee forum process.

“I think in thought the forum process was a good idea,” Torres said. “But in practice it doesn’t exactly work out.”

He attended several of the forums and said only two or three students attended each. The low turnout bothered Torres.

“As leaders when you see only two or three students showing up to a forum, you should say this isn’t going to work because the goal of this was to target students and inform them,” Torres said.

Torres said that he thinks they should have tried a method other than the forums after it became apparent the forums would have a low turnout. He was also critical of the name of the fee and how it was designed.

“Ninety percent goes to hiring teachers, so maybe we should have called it the ‘Hiring New Teachers Fee,’ or something less misleading,” Torres said.

The lack of student control in regards to how the money for the fee would be allocated was especially worrisome for Torres.

“Are they going to be better teachers? Are they adding classes we need?” Torres said.

“I think it’s misleading to call it student success when you don’t have a clear view of how teachers are chosen.”

S W E N ERYONE EV ADS RE ILY DA

Jonathan cole

members and athletes, who have not previously been involved with A.S. Cole said he has shadowed the past three A.S. presidents, which has helped him develop ideas.

He plans to utilize designee positions to boards for campus club leaders to represent their organizations and build a stronger A.S. Cole also wants to establish monthly meetings with departments across campus to encourage student participation.

Cole said it’s imperative for the president to be easily reachable by all students.

“You just have to be there,” Cole said.

“At the end of the day, you’re a student representative. Students are the ones who voted you in, and that’s who you serve.

It’s something that might be easy to lose sight of, but my relationship with people is something that I really value.”

Cole said the student government restructuring has benefited students by expanding the government’s reach.

“Obviously no restructure is going to be perfect right off the bat,” Cole said. “It really promotes not just the few organizations that had seats before, but also the more than 300 organizations we have on this campus. It’s allowing more students to really be able to test the structure and really make sure their voices are heard on all levels.”

In regards to the proposed Student

Success Fee, Cole said he was initially in favor of a referendum process, but after presenting at an open forum, he changed his mind in favor of the alternative consolation process.

“It really allowed open conversation between all parties that were involved,” Cole said. “It’s hard to represent 30,000 students with the process. But in the past, like with the Student Health Fee, there’s only been a couple hundred students who have participated in the process, and more than 1,000 people participated this time.

That’s great to see.”

Cole said he is impressed with student protesters’ efforts against the fee.

“People are starting to listen,” Cole said.

“People are starting to really understand their perspective.”

Cole said despite the fact that some of his close friends joined the protesters, he’s still in favor of the fee increase.

Questions have been raised because Cole’s slate of teammates are running unopposed. He said he would have liked to run against more candidates to foster the competitive nature of the electoral process. He said the conflict fluctuates with each year, and the government expansion has created more options for people to run for positions tailored to their interests.

“Competition really brings the best out of people,” Cole said. “My teammates know they’re the best for the job, but they’re going to work ten times as hard to prove that they deserve to be there.”

CLASSIFIEDS help wanted

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Wanted: Freelance PT Editor for online 7-City multi-author blog. Ideal candidate is journalism student with interest architecture, planning, or environment. Reply with qualifications to info@ urbdezine.com ______________________________________

La Mesa. Condo close to SDSU. Privileges, Bath, Washer/Dryer/Pool $600/mo includes ultilities. no-smoking/pets. Female Only. 1-619464-3443. ______________________________________

houses for rent 5BR/4BA, 2000 sq. ft. 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 ______________________________________

THE AZTEC NEWSPAPER • THEDAILYAZTEC.COM • THE AZTEC APP

11

Room for rent 3 miles from SDSU in quiet Allied Gardens: 1 responsible and clean roommate wanted for 1 Bedroom in charming furnished remodeled 3-bedroom home (available bedroom is NOT furnished). Amenities includes grill, rec/billiards room, newer kitchen appliances, dishwasher,indoor washer/dryer, yard, ample parking. No pets. No smoking inside. Share lovely home with a grad student and another 30 year old professional. Close to grocery store, restaurants. Available March 1st. Rent is $475/ mo plus 1/3 of cable/internet/utilities. Call 619405-1067. ______________________________________ The Daily Aztec does not endorse or support and has no affiliation with the products or services offered in the Classifieds section.

12 THE BACK PAGE

march 13 - 16, 2014

photo Courtesy of thinkstock

#creativecorner

My heart’s perpetual fire

I

felt everything and absolutely nothing, all at once.

It was as if my entire life had been planned intricately to prepare me for this sacred, pivotal moment. Scars I seemed to have forgotten suddenly blared to life. They were the marks of experiences that rendered me helpless and left me raw.

But as your words filled the heavy air surrounding us, past grievances became indistinguishable, and all I could perceive was the beating of my own heart. It did not flutter, like it often did in your presence. Now, each thump was palpable. With each passing second came an overwhelming awareness—an awareness that no prior scar could have helped me accept. At first, I only heard your words as echoes.

But then I listened close. I knew you based upon the words you didn’t— couldn’t—say. Your gaze pierced me to my core.

Your blue eyes were ice crystals; they invited me to melt the coldness that had long taken hold over your heart. I had often looked into your eyes, willing to gaze into them forever if that meant I could save you from what haunted you.

The fire that dissolved the walls you

Kara Fergason contributor

had spent so much time building was the same fire that now brought me to pieces. Fragments of a deep awareness scattered within me. I never knew how powerful that fire was. Not until now.

I was the one whose depths were able to embrace yours. I was the one who showered you with so much love that the glaciers residing inside your chest couldn’t stand a chance. I simply loved with my entire being—a melting, unstoppable force.

But that was then, and I couldn’t try to save you anymore; I couldn’t keep us together. For a few moments, I couldn’t even feel my heart at all. A foreign numbness grappled my being. My chest constricted and chills traversed up my spine.

I looked up to meet your eyes, a dark shade I didn’t recognize. You wouldn’t hold my hand. You wouldn’t inch closer to me. I saw the tears forming in your eyes, but you wouldn’t cry.

Our mutual aching passion radiated in the distance between us, waiting for me to make everything okay again. I felt our energies as magnets that for once dared not reach each other, because I would not push them together.

Why didn’t you hold me? Why didn’t you try to show me how much you

words

70 Look at rudely 71 Slipped gently (into) 72 Renders speechless 73 Wobbly table stabilizer

inherently cared? Why we loved each other, I know now, was meant to be this way: perplexing, unpretentious, intangible, merely for the fact that we shared something pure and beautiful.

I knew you were waiting for me to say something. I always had a way with words, after all. But I couldn’t utter what I knew. How could I let you leave?

I couldn’t possibly let go. I wanted to curl into myself, to curl into the crevice of your chest, where I belonged.

You needed my love, you needed my warmth, I needed …

What did I need?

What did I deserve?

Something wasn’t right.

I couldn’t turn away from the pit of truth finally unveiling itself, the inner knowing that no amount of passion could change what had always been bound to happen.

I looked at you again, loving you more than I thought I could possibly endure.

I took your hand and cradled it to my cheek; in those next few moments, time stood still. I felt everything, most notably the truths I did not want to feel.

Truths that had nothing to do with you, but only me and what I deserved.

I looked past the dimness gleaming in your eyes, and found instead the burning passion I held in my own heart.

With or without you, I knew, this fire would save me.

numbers

Down

Across

1 Pi r squared, for a circle 5 Encyclopedia tidbit 9 Big-time 14 Speeds (up) 15 __ about: roughly 16 Render speechless 17 Penniless 19 Powerful person 20 Cozy corner 21 Monogram part: Abbr.

23 Singer DiFranco 24 Crone 26 Like champion sprinters 29 Capri suffix 30 Little lie 31 Church-founded Dallas sch.

32 FDR’s dog 34 Confused mental states

37 Mythological sky holder 41 Worker in the sky 44 Foil maker 45 Struggling to decide 46 Bone: Pref.

47 Queue after Q 49 20s dispenser, for short 51 Darjeeling, for one 52 Suggest something tentatively 57 “Bad” cholesterol letters 58 Key next to the space bar 59 “A Visit From the Goon Squad” Pulitzer-winning novelist Jennifer 60 March Madness org.

62 Pig __ 64 Piece for two winds 68 Pillar from a fire 69 Film director’s unit

1 “Bow-wow!”

2 Belief sys.

3 Pertaining to the gospel 4 Concerning 5 Warehouse vehicle 6 “It’s __-win situation” 7 Newswoman Roberts 8 River through Nottingham 9 Direct, as a father-son conversation 10 Doctors’ org.

11 Try to punch 12 Layer with “holes” in it 13 Opener’s second call, in bridge 18 Big Broadway hit, slangily 22 Stipulations 24 Teamsters president James 25 For any reason 27 WWII torpedo craft 28 One-up 33 Greek marketplace 35 Pontiac muscle car relaunched briefly in 2004 36 Valuable violin 38 Comeback victor’s vindication 39 Fed the kitty 40 Filch 42 Hurried 43 International accords 48 Schoolyard game 50 Riot control weapon 52 Like lies 53 Alpaca kin 54 Director Preminger and others 55 U.S.-Mexico-Canada commerce pact 56 Bride’s new relative, say 61 Hullabaloos 63 Eisenhower nickname 65 Guitar cousin 66 Brother of Peyton Manning 67 President pro __

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

Difficulty Level:

2/4

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

thefuture

thursday’s Birthday (3/13/14) - Focus on your joy this year. Play with partners, family and friends, as creativity abounds.

Sort, organize and strengthen infrastructure at home and work. Schedule a vacation to take advantage of high romance this summer. After August, a career boost amps the activity level. Healthy exercise, diet and rest practices keep it balanced. Partnership remains key. Grow your heart.

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

Aries (March 21 - April 19) - Today is an 8 - Now the fun really begins. Find alternative solutions to a problem, and hidden value appears as a side effect. Your holdings quietly grow. Invite guests to celebrate. Use what you’ve been saving, and get creative.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) - Today is an 8 - An amazing development solves a problem at home. It involves teamwork and collaboration. Check out an interesting suggestion from a brilliant friend. Apply this inspiration to beautify and add elegance to your surroundings. Use quality ingredients.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) - Today is an 8 - There’s more work coming in. The very idea you were looking for shows up, from far away. Accept a creative challenge. Plan to travel light. A barrier gets overcome. If you say you’re worth it, others agree.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 9 - A brilliant solution to a romantic dilemma appears. Ask deep questions. Improve your comfort level by getting your concerns addressed. Intuition inspires your creativity.

Venture farther out. Dive into action and results get profitable.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 9 - You’re on a roll, personally and professionally. Take notes, to remember what worked best. Heed the intuition that arises in contemplative silence and meditation. Remain obsessed with a passion project. Let others bring food.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is an 8 - Friends offer good advice and apply their technical perfectionism to your project.

Find a generous, thoughtful way to express thanks. Consider someone’s fantastic scheme. Share your talents, and research solutions. An institution may be involved.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 7 Accept a creative challenge. Collaboration adds fun and value to the project. Iron out disagreements by finding the common vision. Love finds a way. Allow change to occur naturally. Amuse yourself, and others want to play along.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is an 8 - You’re especially attractive and charismatic. Ask for what you want. It could get playfully romantic. Cherish a loved one.

Consider an unusual suggestion. Accept encouragement. Gather strength and inspiration from someone else’s talent and brilliant ideas.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) Today is an 8 - Clean up and fix something at home that’s broken. Listen carefully to family, and discover a new resource. Nestle into the coziness and get lost in fascinating studies... or travel straight to the source.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 7 - Look at a situation from another perspective. Make a fabulous discovery.

Abrupt decisions may need revision. Learn from expert group members. Capture brilliant ideas and find ways to apply them to build shared resources.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is an 8 - Work in partnership and the profit increases all around. Follow intuition about which direction to take a project. Your heart knows the way. Passion and discipline grow your money tree. Tend it with enthusiasm.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 9 - Invent a brilliant solution to a persistent problem. You’re especially creative now.

It’s a good time to launch or push forward.

Balance work with play, and get plenty of exercise and rest. Serve yourself.