n o e m a o s h e me
thursDAY, april 23 - wednesday, april 29, 2015 • VOLume 101 • ISSUE 57
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e u s s i g n e housi
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WEEKLY PRINT EDITION
mundo azteca p4 • baseball preview p6 • toro y moi p10 • rent splitting p16 • south campus plaza p18 • housing Prices p19 • aztec journey p20 on-campus living p21 • housing quiz p22 • zura p23 • campus center apartments p24 • international students p25 • faculty-in-residence p27 photo by jenna mackey, photo editor; design by kate leonard, art director
2 NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: DAVID HERNANDEZ • NEWS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#GREENCERTIFICATION
SDSU recognized for sustainable food ADRIANA MILLAR STAFF WRITER _____________________________ San Diego State was recently recognized by the Green Restaurant Association as the first college campus requiring all food services to meet the association’s environmental standards. Along with meeting sustainable food standards, SDSU also received recognition as the campus with the highest concentration of green certified stadiums and arenas. However, not all Aztec Shop tenants currently meet Green Restaurant Association standards. “We have the highest concentration of facilities within a college campus that are certified, and the GRA also knows that we are asking all of the operations (to) become certified in the future,” SDSU Dining Director Paul Melchior said. Aztec Shops hopes to have all restaurants certified by September.
“It’s a goal, for all restaurants on campus to eventually be GRA certified, so the new ones that come on board will all have to be certified within a certain time frame,” said Duane Buske, Aztec Shops general manager of purchasing and distribution. “Some of the restaurants that have already been here, when their contract is up again it will be a part of their contract.” Oggi’s, Panda Express and Chipotle are working on meeting the standards. “We broke it into a three-year plan, so we’ve done 25 locations or something like that right now,” Buske said. “Our first initial run was last year. We did 13, so it’s been ongoing.” To meet certification standards, restaurants must use recyclable materials, monitor water usage, install compliant pre-rinse nozzles, buy sustainable, local food and engage in pre-consumer composting. Additionally, they are required to use Environmental Protection Agency-certified cleaning materials, purchase energy
star compliant appliances, use green certified pest control services and recycle cooking oil for biofuel, according to NewsCenter. Food service locations are not required to compost preconsumer composting, but most SDSU restaurants do. “The only one not to do it is Oggi’s, just because they came on a little bit later than the rest of them, but they will be doing it by the end of the semester,” Buske said. The certification works off of a points system. “What they do tell us is that we need to get a minimum number of points to get certified,” Melchior said. “So we look at all those options, we decide what makes sense for us, and then we go after those points.” One area SDSU did particularly well in was buying sustainable food. The certificate required 10 points, and some on-campus locations had more than 40, Buske said. SDSU also received recognition for how quickly
THINKSTOCK
it received Green Restaurant Association certification. On average, it takes restaurants 18 months to get a one unit certification, Melchior said. “It’s a tremendous amount of work,” he said. “We got the first 13 of them done in less than a year.” The push for Green Restaurant Association certification began after students requested the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union be LEED platinum certified. Melchior said SDSU Dining suggested green restaurant certification for the student union eateries instead, which carry more significance in the restaurant business. “What gets acknowledged in a restaurant is green restaurant certification,” Melchior said. “So
we went to students and said we’d rather get green certified.” Students also play a major role in influencing sales of plastic water bottles on campus, he said. “(Students) are going to dictate when we do that with your purchasing, “ Melchior said. “The trend is going down, but as long as (students) keep buying it, we’re going to keep offering it.” SDSU has a two-star green certification, and Aztec Shops hopes to reach a three-star certification. “Once we get certified, it’s not the end of it,” Buske said. “They’re going to keep checking up on us, so it’s not like we did all this stuff and now we’re going to back off because we’re certified.”
NEWS 3
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: DAVID HERNANDEZ • NEWS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#FLYINGSAMARITANS
Student-run clinic adjusts to new location CATHERINE JAGGER STAFF WRITER ____________________________ A San Diego State student organization that provides free medical services in Mexico is refurbishing a clinic and revamping its services after being asked to relocate. Members of the nonprofit organization, Flying Samaritans, visit Ejido Matamoros, a disadvantaged community 15 minutes south of the border, once a month to provide free general Medicare services such as physical therapy, distribution of medications and more. Recently the club has had to move locations, presenting a unique challenge for the organization to rebuild the clinic. At the beginning of the semester, the group relocated from a church to a nearby dental location because the church area was crowded and the local priest wanted to focus on offering church services to residents in the community, President of Flying Samaritans Adriana Guzman said. The club was provided with a building not too far from its previous clinic and it was allowed to resume its medical services. But the building lacked
Members of Flying Samaritans gather in Mexico to provide medical services. They recently moved to a new location. COURTESY OF ADRIANA GUZMAN
even the basic necessities the Flying Samaritans needed to operate, such as chairs, exam tables and room divisions to provide each patient with privacy. “We didn’t have to really find a new location because it was
already there, but definitely had to figure out a completely new flow,” Guzman said. The group worked to get the new location up to standards for two months and in March, the Flying Samaritans opened up its new clinic.
Gabriel Vahi-Ferguson, a founding member who graduated in May 2014 with a degree in pre-medicine, is optimistic about the new location. “Our clinic is now on a paved street and that is a huge benefit
when compared to other houses in the area,” he said. But their work is far from over. Guzman said the group is now focusing on the aesthetics of the building and the surrounding area. The club plans to paint over the graffiti on the new building, in addition to installing a walkway and ramp to make the clinic more accessible to the patients. Natalie Parker, a member who will become an executive officer for the group in June, said the work Flying Samaritans does is motivational. “It gives me an opportunity to work with healthcare providers in a professional setting while also being able to provide care to people who are in desperate need,” she said. “I am able to use my certifications in a way which benefits an entire community and that means the world to me.” Anyone interested in joining Flying Samaritans or donating money and basic needs can visit its website. “We tend to target a lot of the pre-health students just because that’s the audience we’re in contact with most, but the club is open to all SDSU students and we do want to get more students involved because we do need help,” Guzman said.
4 MUNDO
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: DAVID HERNANDEZ • NEWS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
Who’sWho?
#INSPIRACIÓN
Profesora de SDSU se retira Leilani Grajeda-Higley inspiraba con una frase al final de sus clases. JENNIFER PERALTA ESCRITORA _____________________________ Después de 20 anos como maestra en la Universidad Estatal De San Diego, la Profesora Leilani GrajedaHigley se retiró de la universidad, dejando de ensenar escritura creativa. Ahora se dedica a un nuevo propósito: a motivar a jóvenes que aspiran a ingresar a una universidad. La profesora en sus juntas con los estudiantes ella trasmite el mensaje que los jóvenes no terminen en las cárceles y mucho menos que haya sillas vacías en los salones. Grajeda- Higley menciona que hay menos estudiantes continuando sus estudios y el motivo es porque los descendientes de la colonización colonial durante generaciones mencionaban a sus parientes que iban a terminar como sus ancestros. “Muchos de nosotros nos dieron el mensaje de que éramos inferiores y ese mensaje es trasmitido a nuevas generaciones”, dijo Grajeda- Higley. “ Yo quiero ayudar a estos jóvenes a que desobedezcan este mensaje y que se realicen, que sepan que son inteligentes”. La profesora no solo habla con estudiantes que aspiran a continuar con sus estudios, sino también con
Esta frase comenzó a decirla hace 20 años porque la profesora había visto que varios alumnos querían estar y asistir en el colegio, y que quieren hacer una diferencia. “Pensé que si lo decía después de cada clase se les iba a quedar esta frase con ellos y haci fue — pensé como puedo CORTESÍA DE LEILANI GRAJEDA-HIGLEY ayudar yo para que estudiantes no se aquellos jóvenes que están lastimen entre si mismos, ya en las cárceles. La profesora que una estudiante me había daba discursos motivadores comentado que le habían a los estudiantes del grupo robado su radio de su carro, Movimiento Estudiantil todo se acumulo después de Chicano de Aztlan, y le gusta realizar como se lastima la motivar a los que son maestros gente entre sí mismos.” o maestras, ya que ellos juegan Este mensaje se quedo con un papel importante en los uno de sus estudiantes, David estudios de sus estudiantes. Álvarez, quien es consejal “Quiero ayudar a hacer este en San Diego. Álvarez estaba mundo mejor”, dijo Grajedaen su clase de escritura y Higley. discurso, y un día le comentó Haci es como la profesora a la profesora que él también terminaba sus clases: “Hagan quería hacer de este mundo un de este mundo mejor”.
lugar mejor. “Durante cuatro años había escuchado, ‘Hagan del mundo un lugar mejor,’ al final de la clase”, dijo Álvarez. “ Me esfuerzo por hacer eso todos los días con la esperanza de que en el camino, pueda inspirar a otros de la manera que Leilani me inspiro”. El profesor José Cadena, quien enseña escritura en comunicación, ha conocido a Grajeda- Higley desde que tenía 17 años, y también fue su estudiante. Esa última frase de la profesora motivó al profesor para que siguiera el transcurso de este mensaje a nuevas generaciones. “Esas palabras son como semillas, y plantan este conocimiento de que nuestras acciones cuentan”, dijo Cadena. “Me dio voz y autoridad a hacer un cambio en el mundo … Yo también lo utilizo en mi clase … Les quiero recordar a mis estudiantes que ellos tienen voz y voto. ‘No se olviden de hacer este mundo un lugar mejor’ es lo que menciono al final de mis clases.” La facultad de SDSU reconoció a la profesora con la designación del Profesorado Emérito, lo cual sucede cuando un profesor o una profesora que se retira todavía puede hacer uso de su oficina, cuenta de correo electrónico de la universidad y estacionamiento gratis como reconocimiento por su labor a la institución.
#INMIGRANTES
Profesor observa a inmigrantes EMELY NAVARRO ESCRITORA ____________________________ Un profesor de sociología de la Universidad Estatal de San Diego (SDSU) ha estudiado el estado socioeconómico de inmigrantes indocumentados en City Heights. Enrico Marcelli, junto con Manuel Pastor, profesor de estudios americanos y etnicidad en la Universidad del Sur de California, realizo estudió un total de 14 ciudades de California. Este estudio tenía tres propósitos principales, dijo Marcelli. El primer propósito era generar información acerca de cómo personas indocumentadas influyen la salud de inmigrantes y los resultados socioeconómicos a través de diversos ámbitos de la vida en un esfuerzo de mejorar la vida de los inmigrantes. El segundo era construir la capacidad de las organizaciones comunitarias que ayudan a inmigrantes indocumentados. El tercer objetivo principal era ofrecer a los estudiantes y miembros
de las comunidades de inmigrantes la oportunidad de participar en un proyecto de investigación estadística basada en la comunidad que va a desarrollar sus habilidades. En la encuesta, se descubrió que la mayoría de los inmigrantes no tienen seguro médico. En City Heights, por ejemplo, solo alrededor de 3 de cada 10 tienen seguro de salud, en comparación con 8 de cada 10 de los adultos que están tienen seguro, dijo Marcelli. Hay poco que un inmigrante indocumentado puede hacer para obtener seguro médico, a menos que trabaje para un empleador que ofrece un seguro o tenga un miembro de la familia que pueda
CORTESÍA DE ENRICO MARCELLI
incluirlo o incluirla en su plan médico. La mejor opción para obtener atención médica es ponerse en contacto con un centro comunitario de salud o una clínica. Algunos de nuestros datos sugieren que al menos el 40 por ciento de los inmigrantes mexicanos no autorizados se basan en esos lugares, digo Marcelli. La falta de un seguro médico no es el único problema que los inmigrantes
indocumentados se enfrentan. Uno de los problemas más significantes es el estrés y temor de ser deportados, algo en lo que suelen piensan. En los datos del estudio de Marcelli, uno de cada cuatro niños en City Heights tiene al menos un padre indocumentado. La mayoría de los niños indocumentados no serán deportados gracias el programa Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. De acuerdo a la página web de la Oficina de Ciudadanía y Servicios de Inmigración en los EE.UU., este programa indica que ciertas personas que entraron al país cuando eran niños y que cumplen ciertas pautas pueden solicitar un estatus migratorio por al menos dos años. Si los padres de un niño indocumentado son deportados, el niño tiene la opción de vivir con un pariente cercanos en EE.UU. City Heights es una de las ciudades con mayor diversidad cultural del país. De acuerdo al Censo de 2010, la comunidad tiene 58.337 hispanos, 61.562 blancos y 12.567 afroamericanos.
EDITOR IN CHIEF Monica Linzmeier MANAGING EDITOR Madison Hopkins NEWS EDITOR David Hernandez ASST. NEWS EDITOR Camille Lozano SPORTS EDITOR Kristian Ibarra ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Matthew Bain OPINION EDITOR Elpin Keshishzadeh ASST. OPINION EDITOR Anthony Berteaux ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Nick Knott ASST. ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Ryo Miyauchi FEATURES EDITOR Kelly Hillock ASST. FEATURES EDITOR Olivia Litsey PHOTO EDITOR Jenna Mackey DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR Kelly Gardner ART DIRECTOR Kate Leonard PRODUCTION DESIGNER Cameron Salce VOLUNTEER WRITERS Thane Hale Christine Whitman Taylor Knecht Liliana Cervantes Kalah Siegel Kellie Miller Sarah Tanori David Dixon Jennifer Peralta Emely Navarro Adriana Millar Jacob Gleason Zachary Engberg Ryan Posner Maxim Garshman Catherine Jagger Emmilly Nguyen Katie Koach Denise Chang Alicia Chavez Lainie Fraser VOLUNTEER PHOTOGRAPHERS Megan Wood Chadd Cady Sarah Smith Kristian Carreon _____________________________ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Tony Disarufino SALES MANAGER Adam Zabel SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Radbeh Rabaz ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Alfonso Barajas Jordan Dennison Peyton Fedorka Conor Nordberg Sarah Richardson AJ Swamy ACCOUNTING & CONTRACTS Michael Bratt Kalie Christensen _____________________________ GENERAL MANAGER Jay Harn GRAPHICS SPECIALIST Chris Blakemore _____________________________
What’sWhat? ADVERTISING 619.594.6977 advertising@thedailyaztec.com EDITORIAL INQUIRIES 619.594.4190 editor@thedailyaztec.com WEB Our website, thedailyaztec.com, publishes daily content, videos & breaking news. _____________________________ The Daily Aztec has been San Diego State’s independent student newspaper since 1913.
OPINION 5
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: ELPIN KESHISHZADEH • OPINION@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
Community efforts are falling short With social media empowering fad causes and movements, the drought has fallen through the cracks with community efforts. #MONETARYDROUGHT
Campaign further funds a dry spell EMMILLY NGUYEN SENIOR STAFF COLUMNIST _____________________________
T
he California drought has become a growing problem. In response to a drought that seems to have no end in sight, the state is set to reduce urban consumption by 25 percent. However, water may not be the only precious resource Californians are wasting. San Diego water usage was restricted on Nov. 1, 2014 leading to mandatory usage limits on watering lawns to three times a week, with car washes and irrigation allowed only during certain time frames. San Diego is expected to decrease water usage by 20 percent, a mandate that is less restrictive than the 35 percent demanded from cities such as Beverly Hills. Efforts to alleviate the drought, made both by San
Diego and the state, are good but also come with a heavy price tag. While saving every last drop of water, California is also spending every last penny it has in its already defunct budget. In an effort to combat the drought, using tax-payer dollars to fund water projects is much more constructive than spending it on public relations campaigns. Matter Potter said in the San Diego Reader that the larger beneficiaries of this drought are the PR companies that profit from drought awareness campaigns. “If anyone ends up happy about California’s drought, it may be the recipient of a new $1.6 million PR contract from the City of San Diego,” Potter said. Apparently San Diego’s “Waste no Water. All Ways. Always.” campaign isn’t effective, as the state has
continued to dole out taxpayer money to pay for these exorbitant campaigns. The PR consultants plan to work with the City of San Diego Public Utilities Department, a five-year Water Conservation Program starting in 2015. Water is a vital resource, but the price tag doesn’t belong on campaigning material. This isn’t the Primaries — people have to be living under a rock to not be aware of the problems surrounding the California drought. According to the U-T, San Diego was the first city to take action after Gov. Jerry Brown announced the 25 percent reduction mandate in water consumption. These efforts are great, but San Diego’s Mayor Kevin Falconer plans for a $450,000 turf replacement rebate program that will eliminate watering to city medians, parks and golf courses.
According to reporter David Garrick, “Residents will get $1.50 per square foot they replace, which they could combine with a $2-per-squarefoot state program to receive a total of $3.50 per square foot.” According to Time magazine, the California Energy Commission mandated that all toilets, urinals and faucets sold in California, regardless of where they are made, as of Jan. 1, 2016, must conserve water. However, switching to water conserving appliances can be costly and replacing lawns with drought-resistant plants can also have additional costs. Needless to say, so much of the efforts made thus far in combating the drought have costed a great deal of money with very little return on investment. Just like water, money doesn’t come from thin air — nor does it grow on the trees residents are limited on
watering. The city can look at San Diego State as a model in targeting the problem. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on raising awareness, the money was put toward change. SDSU has taken important strides toward water conservation by planting drought-tolerant plants, turning off fountains, and watering lawns during mandated times. Furthermore, to highlight conservation efforts, the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union has two 50,000 gallon tanks, designated to collect rainwater for reuse. Many people are quick with making water conservation recommendations, but most aren’t aware of how these funds are being utilized. People know about the drought — now is the time to channel these funds in a more beneficial way.
#FADSUPPORT
Fads water down social media movements KATIE KOACH STAFF COLUMNIST _____________________________
T
he advent of social media has allowed many to show their support for social justice and various causes and start revolutionary movements. Although social media is a strong tool in driving strong messages, these messages are very short-lived. As recent events show, this past year seemed to be the bearer of fad causes. With the tragic events of Ferguson, it didn’t take long for the message “Black Lives Matter” to become a testament of the powerful connection between social media and social awareness. In a sense, technology has given a voice to the voiceless, power to the power-less. But when was the last time you heard this strong message? Temporary types of activism, as seen with the protests from
Ferguson, aren’t enough to dismantle the injustices within our country. Social media is a strong tool in generating awareness, but the convenience of sharing a post has hindered permanent solutions. Organizations need donations and volunteers, but most people feel their moral responsibility to a cause is finished once they’ve tweeted, shared or liked a post. Going back to the murder of Michael Brown in Missouri back in August 2014, it seemed as though #BlackLivesMatter was trending across multiple social media platforms in an instant. Protests erupted and people were kept informed through social media. However, the hype died away as soon as it began, while the brave people in Missouri continued to fight for justice. The protests still haven’t ceased, but many people outside of Ferguson have forgotten and/or ignored the cause. Business freshman Aquilino
Sanchez, said the distance between ourselves and the realities of the protests generate apathy. But whether if it’s distance or a lack of care, people rarely talk about Ferguson on social media anymore. “I think it’s the distance really because when you’re not really there, experiencing it full on and witnessing all of it kind of puts a barrier between it,” Sanchez said. “There’s not really much you can do about it. You can say you want to but you’re not actually living it so that makes it harder to step in.” Trends have always made their way through society, but social media allows people to selectively follow their favorite trends. That includes more than the latest spring trends for this year. Engaging and raising awareness is the hottest new trend, or in the case of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, the coldest. The problem with the
nonchalant approach to activism online is people have extremely short attention spans, especially when people turn awareness campaigns into fads. Generating awareness is good, but it doesn’t do much for a long-term solution if people only pay attention for five minutes. “People start caring about something but then they just forget it,” psychology junior Lauren Sonder said. “It’s just about hype and I don’t understand why people just don’t keep following up.” If people actually cared they could do more than just click the “share” button. Organizations need volunteers and money. Sharing might make someone else volunteer or donate, but if a person feels strongly enough to put a cause on a page representative of his or her beliefs, than they should be willing to help more. Communications professional Allison Smith talks about how
WAYS TO SAVE WATER What can we, as students, do to help conserve water? 1. EAT FEWER CHEESEBURGERS An interactive map from the LA Times shows just how much water certain foods are costing
us. It takes 106.28 gallons of water to produce one ounce of beef, which adds up to 850 gallons for an eight-ounce steak. 2. THINK ABOUT ALL OF CALIFORNIA There seems to be this idea
awareness campaigns are usually sneaky attempts to bring something more to their organization, in her article for Why Dev. Awareness campaigns are about money. That’s what the organization really wants from the sharing, liking and trending. “‘Awareness’ is a great rationale for almost any communications-related endeavor,” Smith wrote. “Why do we need to amass a social media following? To raise awareness of our charity, of course. Why do we need to take selfies with penises in socks? To raise awareness of testicular cancer, naturally.” While businesses are making money for themselves, nonprofits are trying to collect funds for their cause. Whether it’s pushing products or generating awareness, companies and organizations are both looking to get money. Sharing and liking posts helps to spread the messages, but
ANNA WALETZKO, STAFF COLUMNIST
that Northern California is flooded with water, but guess what? It’s just as dry up there as it is down here. A map provided by KQED Public Radio for Northern California shows it’s not only Southern California suffering from the drought.
3. STOP BUYING JEANS Southern California produces 75 percent of the world’s highend denim. The Wall Street Journal reported the average pair of Levi’s 501 jeans uses about 3,800 liters of water, or approximately 1,027 gallons.
6 SPORTS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KRISTIAN IBARRA • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#AZTECBASEBALL
Baseball out to muzzle Bulldogs RYAN POSNER STAFF WRITER _____________________________ The San Diego State baseball team enters a three-game set at California State University, Fresno this weekend sporting its longest losing streak of the season at four games. SDSU was swept by University of Nevada, Reno last weekend and then was defeated by California State University, Northridge on Tuesday. Now the Aztecs match up with the Bulldogs who are currently two spots behind them in the Mountain West standings. For SDSU head coach Mark Martinez, it’s all about remaining calm. “These are some growing experiences for us, we’ve made mistakes in critical points in games and they’ve just kind of snowballed on us,” Martinez said. “We’ve run into a couple good (NCAA) Division I teams of late, it’s a long season. “ Something SDSU will need to shore up heading into the weekend, which has been strength for the team most of the
Junior shortstop Danny Sheehan is batting .310 in his first year as starting shortstop. SARAH SMITH, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
season, is its starting pitching. Junior right-handers Mark Seyler and Bubba Derby have anchored the rotation all season, but both struggled against Nevada. To couple that, sophomore left-hander Marcus Reyes and sophomore right-hander Cody Thompson both had struggles of their own in the four-game
losing streak. “(Seyler and Derby) are two of the premiere pitchers in our conference, they just have to go back to what’s made them successful all year,” Martinez said. “I’ll take any of our four guys to go out there and win a big game for us.” With the struggles of the starting pitching, the Aztecs
have gotten away from the “formula” that Martinez says has led them to success all season. He relies on his starters to get him five or more innings before tinkering around with his many arms in the bullpen to finish out games. “Our pitching has been strength for us most of this season, I believe they can go out and get it done,” Martinez said. The pitching staff will need to get it done this weekend, as Fresno State is nipping on the heels of the Aztecs in the MW race. The Bulldogs sit just 3.5 games back of the Aztecs with less than a month to go in the season. Martinez does not want to put any extra implications on this series, however. “The most important series is the next one that you play,” Martinez said. “There are a lot of good teams in this conference, we go out to every series and game with the same mentality.“ While Martinez says the team goes into every series with the same mentality, he did make some changes to his lineup over
the past few weeks to spark his offense. He moved the team’s top run producer, senior outfielder Steve Pallares, and junior shortstop Danny Sheehan down in the order after batting No. 1 and 2 almost all season. Freshman outfielder Chase Calabuig, who leads the MW in batting average, was then moved up to the top of the order because he led the team in onbase percentage. Martinez has since abandoned the shakeup, but has elected to keep Calabuig at the top of the order and keep Sheehan towards the middle, while Pallares heads back to the leadoff role. In the latter half of the season these conference series’ can have big implications on standings and where the team ranks in the country. This is not something that Martinez is worried about just yet. “It only matters where you’re ranked on the last day of the season,” Martinez said. “We don’t focus on that stuff; we just go out and play our game.”
#AZTECWLAX
SDSU aims to put bow on historic year ZACHARY ENGBERG STAFF WRITER _____________________________ The San Diego State lacrosse team’s most successful season in its short history will come to a close this Saturday when the team faces University of Southern California. The Aztecs (9-6, 5-3 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) are guaranteed to finish over .500 for the first time, a milestone for the young program. The program will also be searching for its first victory over USC (11-4, 7-1 MPSF), who boasts a 2-0 record against SDSU. USC is coming off its first
conference loss of the season, falling to undefeated Stanford University 12-6 last Sunday. This result came two days after the Cardinal demolished SDSU 2210. It will be a big weekend in deciding MPSF playoff seeding as well. SDSU can clinch at least a four seed in the upcoming tournament with a home win vs. USC. It will not be an easy contest. The Trojans are one of the top defensive teams in the nation as they allow 7.87 goals per game, which is good for 14th in the country. USC’s highest scoring player, sophomore attacker Michaela
Michael, leads the offensive unit. Michael has netted 45 goals in her second season, making her the No. 19 scorer nationwide. San Diego State head coach Kylee White knows the competition level will be high in this showdown, and she expects near perfection from her team. “We have to make sure we capitalize on every opportunity,” White said. The Aztecs have not been doing as much of this lately. After its seven game win streak, the team has gone 2-4, and averaged only 9.5 goals per game. Big contributions will be necessary from the Aztecs’
senior leaders. Senior Christina Ricciardulli will look to add to her team-high 33 goals this year. Seniors Lauren Maack and Michaela Jarvis will also be trying to improve on their 20 assists, each. But the real key to the game will be to simply keep possession, something they were not able to do against Stanford University or University of California, Davis. “The best way to beat USC is to have the ball,” White said. “We lost a lot of draw controls and committed too many fouls in our last few games, and it hurt us a lot. It’s hard to win a game when you don’t have the ball.” Besides being huge for MPSF
seeding, the game on Saturday will be a very emotional day for many seniors. This is the first four-year group to be graduating for the Aztecs, and Saturday will be their final home game. The fan turnout will be huge in giving the Aztecs a muchneeded home field advantage. On average, 410 fans have been at every game so far this season, which exceeds the 199 average fan turnout from their opponents. “We definitely get much more excited for home games,” White said. “Especially this one, because its a special day for our seniors. We want to send them out right.”
SPORTS 7
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KRISTIAN IBARRA • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
Women’s tennis looking to win weather or not
#AZTECWTENNIS
MAXIM GARSHMAN STAFF WRITER _____________________________
Women’s tennis holds a 13-10 record as it enters the Mountain West tournament CHADD CADY, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
It’s Mountain West tournament time, yet again, for the San Diego State women’s tennis team. After overcoming a rocky start, the Aztecs have come into their own this season and finished up winning seven of their last nine matches. “I feel like we’re probably hitting our stride at just the right time,” head coach Peter Mattera said. “We’re probably playing the best that we’ve played all year and also, certainly, playing with a lot of confidence.” Senior Hailey Johnson echoed Mattera’s sentiments about the tournament. “The conference is looking pretty good (and) they’re competitive, but after the matches when we played them we know what we need to better, and I feel like everyone is on board.” With the team’s streak, SDSU earned the fourth seed in the tournament and will play University of Wyoming in the first round. Unlike most of the MW teams, the Aztecs played just four matches against conference opponents while all others played at least five. One of those opponents SDSU
didn’t play: Wyoming. “I know they’re a very solid team and four versus five you would expect that’s going to be a pretty competitive match,” Mattera said. Senior Kristin Buth seems unfazed by the unfamiliarity with the Cowgirls. “I think it’s actually good (having not played them),” Buth said. “If you’ve beaten them you know ‘Oh, yeah okay we’ve beaten them’ so, I think it is good we haven’t played them.” It appears as though the Aztecs are at a perfect balance of confidence heading into the biggest tournament of the year. However, there are many obstacles left before they can claim the crown. One of those many obstacles: wind. This year, the MW tournament is being held at the University of New Mexico and the weather could cause major problems for all the tennis players. When SDSU plays Wyoming on Friday, the winds could reach 20 to 30 mph. The key is the wind has to be sustained at over 20 mph, according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rules. So, if there are random gusts at over 20 mph that’s fine. However, if the sustained wind exceeds 20 mph, then the team will move inside.
“It’s probably not a benefit for either team,” Mattera said. While Mattera voiced some concern on the issue, his players feel ready. “It has been windy our last few matches here,” Johnson said. “So we’ve had kind of a preparation for it, which was kind of a blessing in disguise.” The largest hurdle the Aztecs have to overcome, though, is California State University, Fresno. Should the fourth-seeded Aztecs beat Wyoming, they would have to face the No. 1 ranked, undefeated-in conference Bulldogs in the second round. Johnson thinks Fresno State is the clear favorite. “I think so,” she said. “They did win it last year, so they have that kind of confidence boost. They already beat us once, but I think they know how close it was.” While SDSU did lose 4-1 to Fresno State earlier this season, the Aztecs were ahead in the matches left unfinished. Thus, if the Aztecs do play the Bulldogs in the second round, the doubles point will be a big momentum shift for either team. “I think that we’re in a pretty good spot,” Mattera said. “I think we’re feeling good about where we are right now as a team and I think we are really going to go in there and take our shot.”
WEEKEND SPORTS SCHEDULE FRIDAY, APRIL 24 SPORT Baseball Softball Women’s Tennis Women’s Track Women’s Water Polo Women’s Track
OPPONENT vs. Fresno State vs. New Mexico vs. Wyoming vs. Triton Invitational vs. APU/CBU vs. Penn Relays
SATURDAY, APRIL 25 Baseball vs. Fresno State Softball vs. New Mexico Women’s Rowing vs. WIRA Championships Women’s Track vs. Triton Invitational Women’s Lacrosse vs. USC
LOCATION TIME Fresno 6:30 p.m. SDSU Softball Stadium 6:00 p.m. Albuquerque 7:00 a.m. La Jolla 10:00 a.m. Stockton, California 3:00 p.m. Philadelphia TBA Fresno SDSU Softball Stadium Lake Natona La Jolla Aztec Lacrosse Field
6:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m.
(SATURDAY CONT’D.) SPORT OPPONENT Women’s Tennis vs. MW Championships Men’s Tennis vs. Utah/Nevada Women’s Track vs. Penn Relays Women’s Water Polo vs. TBD
LOCATION TIME Albuquerque All Day Albuquerque TBA Philadelphia TBA Stockton TBA
SUNDAY, APRIL 26 Baseball vs. Fresno State Softball vs. New Mexico Women’s Rowing vs. WIRA Championships Women’s Tennis vs. MW Championships Men’s Tennis vs. MW Championships
Fresno SDSU Softball Stadium Lake Natoma Albuquerque Albuquerque
1:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 a.m. All Day TBA
TICKETS TO HOME GAMES ARE FREE TO ANY ACTIVE STUDENT WITH A VALID RED ID.
8 SPORTS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KRISTIAN IBARRA • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#AZTECSOFTBALL
Aztecs to face resurgent Lobos JACOB GLEASON STAFF WRITER ____________________________ After winning two out of three games in their high-scoring series against Colorado State University, San Diego State softball (30-17, 13-5 Mountain West) is looking to take care of business at home against the University of New Mexico Lobos (24-21, 8-7 MW) this weekend. In their series at Fort Collins, the Aztecs scored 26 runs in three games. On Saturday alone, the two teams combined for 31 runs through the course of a double-header. While it is possible that SDSU will be able to rely on the long ball again to lead its highpowered offense this weekend, head coach Kathy Van Wyk doesn’t think it’s very likely. “I don’t anticipate it being as high scoring (this series.) A lot of home runs were hit because of the altitude,” Van Wyk said. “But you never know. In this conference it’s not uncommon.” There’s also a chance that the Lobos team could score a lot of runs themselves. “New Mexico swings the bat well,” Van Wyk said. “They’re always good hitters.” The Lobos pitching staff has been stronger this year too. “Pitching has always been their weakest point, but we’ll see,” Van Wyk said. “I know they have a couple more pitchers this year than they’ve had (in the past).” This showed in the Lobos’ most recent series two weeks ago against Colorado State when New Mexico’s pitchers won two games and only gave up nine runs through all three games. New Mexico’s combination of strong hitters and improved pitching staff is why Van Wyk expects them to be tougher than in years past. “They usually were in the bottom half of the conference and they are not any longer,” she said. “They are in the middle of the conference and
Redshirt-senior utility player Lorena Bauer (top) has a team-high 14 home runs on the year while junior third baseman Kayla Bufardeci (bottom) has 31 RBIs. SARAH SMITH, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
I would expect them to give us three great games.” New Mexico will also have added rest and motivation as they haven’t playing since losing to in-state rival New Mexico State University last Tuesday. Still, the Aztecs are more focused on improving themselves than they are on worrying about opponents.
“(In practice) we’re just working on things we looked at this past week and need work on,” Van Wyk said. This attitude of focusing on her team also applies to Van Wyk’s approach to winning the tight race in the competitive conference. “We have two more series left and bottom line is we got to take care of our own business,” she
said. “We need to win games. We can’t afford losses.” The Aztecs are currently one game behind California State University, Fresno (33-14, 14-4 MW) and are in a virtual tie with San Jose State University (31-15, 11-4 MW) for second place in the conference. The Lobos are in fourth in the MW standings. But as much as the Aztecs
want to win the conference, the most important thing is performing well on the field. “For the most part we need to stay focused on our job, which is go out there and play hard,” she said. Expect the Aztecs to play hard and compete when they take on the improved New Mexico Lobos at home over the weekend.
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: NICK KNOTT • ENTERTAINMENT@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
ENTERTAINMENT 9
#WEEKENDPICKS APRIL 23 - 29 It’s been stated before, the semester’s end is creeping near. Over the next few weeks Aztecs will be hunkering down in the dark corners of the library and of their apartments, hitting the books hard in preparation for finals. But there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, or perhaps halfway through it. For those Aztecs who are on top of the ball and caught up with their scholarly endeavors, this weekend features plenty of fun things to do that can help destress from the endof-the-year chaos.
NICK KNOTT ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR ___________________________________ TRIBAL SEEDS THURSDAY APRIL 23-25 OBSERVATORY NORTH PARK It’s only fitting that reggae band Tribal Seeds plays back-to-back-to-back sets in their hometown of San Diego. Reggae fans have been lucky enough to see the locally grown band rise to the top of the reggae genre. The group never forgets its roots as they put many San Diego references in the music. Each of the three nights will feature different opening acts, including Through the Roots, Aloha Radio, Hirie and Fortunate Youth. Observatory North Park is playing host to Tribal Seeds and it couldn’t be more perfect to play that role. Tickets are still on sale for each of the first two nights and cost $30. CHARLIE MURPHY THURSDAY APRIL 23-26 AMERICAN COMEDY CO. After spending years in the shadow of his hilarious older brother Eddie Murphy, Charlie was able to break into the television world on shows such as Chappelle’s Show. His sketch comedy is on point, and his stand up is no different. There are plenty of opportunities for Aztecs to make it out to Mr. Murphy’s show, as he plays multiple
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shows each night of his stay here. The price of tickets is a tad steep, coming in at $28. And for those who are of age, drinks and food are also not exactly the cheapest at American Comedy Co. either. If one decides to make it out to Charlie Murphy, it’s best to budget beforehand. LIL JON FRIDAY APRIL 24 BASSMNT The almighty king of crunk makes his return to San Diego. Music fans have seen the southern producer grow from an over-sized white tee wearing rap god to fist-pumping EDM megastar. It can safely be assumed that Lil Jon’s set will provide a variety of high-energy jams ranging from songs like “Get Low” and “Salt Shaker,” that helped him move into the spotlight, and the newly accepted ultimate party jam “Turn Down For What.” The first two sets of pre-sale tickets are already sold out, but there are still $30 pre-sale tickets available for purchase.
SAN DIEGO RHYTHM AND BREWS FESTIVAL SATURDAY APRIL 25 DOWNTOWN VISTA VILLAGE This Saturday marks the fourth anniversary of the Rhythm and Brews Festival in Vista. This festival is four hours of good music and craft beer. Vista is one of the many hubs for San Diego breweries so it makes sense that a festival such as this would be so deep into North County. Festival goers will be treated to musical performances ranging from funk to soul, as well as a vast selection of the quality beer that Vista breweries have to offer. This is another pricey endeavor for college students, with general admission tickets costing $45-$55. But that admission will grant attendees a branded pilsner cup and unlimited tastings throughout the festival. An event like this is a great way to visit a new place, try some of San Diego’s best brews and escape from the monotony of school.
10 ENTERTAINMENT
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: NICK KNOTT • ENTERTAINMENT@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#TOROYMOI
Toro y Moi played the Observatory North Park, a newly revamped venue housing a solid monthly lineup. SARAH TANORI, SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Toro y Moi chills at the Observatory SARAH TANORI SENIOR STAFF WRITER _____________________________________ Arriving at the Observatory last Wednesday night to watch Toro y Moi, a few questions were raised. A pioneer of the chill-wave movement was to perform. Did this chill wave imply a deadpan, hipster performance? Did this imply an equally apathetic, fashioncrazed crowd? No and No. Toro y Moi was started by Chaz Bundick through early recordings in his old South Carolina home. In 2010, he released his first studio album "Causers of This" and has been signed to Carpark Records since. Three albums later, the band is now at their latest "What For?" with undoubtedly one of the standout songs of the night "Empty Nesters." The performance began and Bundick greeted his audience in his psychedelic pants, bare feet and a meek smile, beginning the show with his accompanying band. The audience was pretty nuts. It's always nice to see crowds who are into
the music they're watching but everyone was on the same ecstatic wavelength that night. It was the opposite of what I expected and together with the beautiful instrumentals, it made for an enjoyable dance night. Not to mention the lighting and optical-illusionesque backdrop during the performance. It was an almost surreal atmosphere. As the musicians stayed in place, the lighting and backdrop seemed to move with the audience. The positive energy of the crowd and surrounding environment made a Wednesday night seem like a Friday night. Music wise, impressed is an understatement. From the singer to the guitarist, the entire band was in sync instrumentally and they gave off the same vibe: happy. This was what made the audience stay from beginning to end. There were no pauses to speak or signs of restlessness from the performers. Just an energetic bunch who made the observatory a dance party that night. Toro y Moi's songs were light-hearted and cute. The audience knew the lyrics in entirety and smiled all along the way. It is undeniable that Bundick lead the
way that night in every aspect. The singer was flawless in transitions and calm in attitude. He made his complicated string of melodies seem easy but once you paid closer attention, his remarkable skill in voice, keyboard and guitar became apparent. Barefoot Bundick had a humble-cool going on that night. It was arresting and infectious. He is clearly talented guy who is so committed and so good. It's also obvious that he doesn't really act on this hype he
gets. Instead, he just absorbs the good vibes and lets that guide him in the music he plays. And one thing, Bundick is definitely not just the chill-wave king. Last Wednesday proved that chill wave is only a small portion of Toro y Moi's identity. Toro y Moi is a band not branded by one label, but a band with members who are committed to diverse and fun melodies. It isn't a hip archetype that thinks it's too cool for you, but the group who invites you to eat with them at lunch.
Chazwick Bundick led Toro y Moi in front of local San Diego fans. SARAH TANORI, SENIOR STAFF WRITER
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: NICK KNOTT • ENTERTAINMENT@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
ENTERTAINMENT 11
#WAYWARDPINES
Shyamalan returns with Fox drama DAVID DIXON STAFF WRITER ____________________________________ Some people are not going to give the Fox event series “Wayward Pines” a chance because M. Night Shyamalan is an executive producer of the program and directed the pilot. While “The Sixth Sense” is still a beloved movie, several of Shyamalan’s recent films have been critical and commercial bombs. The good news about the TV series is that the first few episodes are an addicting and frequently bizarre head trip. Based on Blake Crouch’s novels, “The Wayward Pines Trilogy,” the mystery starts off with a Secret Service agent Ethan Burke (Matt Dillon) attempting to find two missing federal agents in Idaho. After he is involved in a deadly car crash, Ethan wakes up in a hospital located in the town of Wayward Pines. Nothing is normal about the incorporated community. The nurse Pam (Melissa Leo) comes across as a menacing citizen acting in an unusual matter, and the sheriff Arnold Pope (Terrence Howard) does not seem like he can be trusted. Ethan becomes an unofficial prisoner in Wayward Pines and he tries to find a way to escape and return to wife Theresa (Shannyn Sossamon) and son Ben (Charlie Tahan). The first episode does take some scenes to get going. For a couple of minutes, events go back and forth in time so frequently that viewers might have to push the rewind button on their remote to understand what is happening on screen. The narrative picks up when Ethan leaves the hospital and explores his abnormal new surroundings, which Shyamalan captures with a gleeful sense of dread. The writers and directors of “Wayward Pines” take their time setting up major twists and revelations. Even when everything is not clear, it is easy to be intrigued by all of the different locations Ethan visits. The world-building in the show makes the environment feel grand instead of confined. Later episodes go into spoiler-heavy territory that might initially seem farfetched or implausible. What makes these chapters work is intelligent dialogue, which deals with grim issues in a gutsy way. An issue that exists in the first three episodes is brief sequences outside of Wayward Pines in Seattle, Washington
Fox’s new dramatic series hosts stars such as Mat Dillon and Terrence Howard in Wayward Pines. COURTESY OF FACEBOOK
with Theresa and Ben. Sossamon and Tahan are fine actors, but the conversations they share together about Ethan appear to belong in a second-rate family soap opera and not in a unique thriller. The two are better when they are apart from each other, and when they do not talk about Ethan the mother and son are actually pretty interesting people.
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Although “Wayward Pines” is off to a promising start, what will make or break the miniseries is how developer Chad Hodge decides to conclude the spine-chiller. If the ending is a letdown, it can negatively impact the ten parts as a whole. Yet, if the quality remains consistent to the end, then the result will be a creepy and challenging journey.
With elements of David Lynch’s work and “The Twilight Zone,” as well as occasionally shocking graphic violence and a sympathetic performance from Dillon, “Wayward Pines” has all the ingredients for a provocative smallscreen summer adventure. Hopefully, Shyamalan will continue to be involved with projects this ambitious in the future.
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THE HOUSING ISSUE 13
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
THE HOUSING ISSUE
HOME, HOME ON THE MESA KELLY HILLOCK FEATURES EDITOR ___________________________
C
ollege is usually the first time people move out of their parents’ home and out on their own. We know San Diego State is your home away from home, but you really need a place to call your own. Whether you’re a commuter, dormdweller or house-hunter, this issue will give you the different perspectives on housing so you can make an informed decision. Spring is a busy time for us all, and finding a place to live can make things even more stressful.
That’s why you’ll find all the information you need for next semester’s pad in our annual housing issue. You can even find rooms for rent or search for roommates on our website. Inside this issue, you’ll find: an interactive quiz to find out the best living options for your needs (p. 25), housing from an international student’s perspective (p. 21), the different living and learning communities SDSU offers (p. 20) and the construction you’ve probably noticed around campus (p. 18, 24). And remember Aztecs, home is really where the heart is.
MONICA LINZMEIER, EDITOR IN CHIEF
MARINE CORPS VETERAN JOHN SAN MIGUEL INTERNED AT SPAWAR THROUGH SDSU’S TROOPS TO ENGINEERS, A PROGRAM SUPPORTED BY LOCAL AEROSPACE, DEFENSE AND UTILITY COMPANIES THROUGH THE CAMPAIGN FOR SDSU. JOHN IS NOW A SPAWAR PROFESSIONAL AND A MENTOR TO SDSU VETERANS. VISIT CAMPAIGN.SDSU.EDU
14 THE HOUSING ISSUE
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#REALESTATE
Aztecs take on real-life real estate THANE HALE STAFF WRITER _____________________________ San Diego State’s Corky McMillin Center for Real Estate was established in 2009 to train real estate students and help them make connections in the industry. Corky McMillin, who endowed the center, was a prominent Southern California land developer. In 1960, he built a house with a loan backed on the equity of his own home, according to the Corky McMillin Companies website. From there, he kept on building houses, founding new companies on realty and mortgages to buy houses. Today, McMillin Land Development has built more than 30,000 homes from San Diego to San Antonio. McMillin donated the money for the center before he died in 2005. From the very beginning, he wanted the center to focus on providing practical experience
The Corky McMillin Center for Real Estate trains students to make connections in the real estate industry. COURTESY OF THE CORKY MCMILLIN CENTER FOR REAL ESTATE
for real estate students. One way the center realizes that goal is by training students in real estate tools. “This last weekend we had our ARGUS software training,” Center Coordinator Melissa Abeyta said. “That’s a training that’s not covered in the classroom, but real estate graduates are expected to know. It’s a really expensive software, so the center takes on that
expense.” Those who work at the center either find an SDSU faculty member or a third party to teach skills to SDSU real estate students. Through the Day One program, students get to see how land development and real estate works in person, Abeyta said. The center also works with members of SDSU’s Real Estate
Society and supports the society financially. Many society members have gone on trips with the Day One program. “The Day One program is a class and an interview, normally two hours long on a Saturday,” said Real Estate Society President and business senior Jack Losey. “It’s an opportunity to create a relationship with those in the industry.” The program is important
because the real estate business is so different from what happens in the classroom, Losey said. The center’s board members, including McMillin’s son, Mark, are often SDSU alumni who became executives in the real estate industry. They fund the center and work with students to get them work experience. “They help with mentorships, jobs and internships to give to our students,” Abeyta said. Maintaining relationships is very important in any business, including real estate, so those at the center try to emphasize that. The board members see the center as an opportunity to meet students. “They want to talk to the students,” Abeyta said. “They would rather have an event where they have a breakfast with students, than just a meeting of the minds with just industry people. The center is completely focused on being studentcentric.”
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APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#COMMUTERS
THE HOUSING ISSUE 15
Students commute to save money DENISE CHANG STAFF WRITER ____________________________________ San Diego State students work hard and look forward to getting home and embracing a warm bed at the end of a long day. For those who live on campus, it probably takes less than 20 minutes to get home, put on pajamas, get an ice-cold beverage and pull up Netflix. Dorm residents also have the advantage of accessibility to on-campus events and facilities. However, 70 percent of students at SDSU are commuters, meaning that they don’t live on campus and travel to school on a daily basis. Journalism senior Camelle Sison has lived off-campus since starting as a freshman. Sison felt that it was not necessary to live on campus, as she is originally from San Diego. “It only made sense to save money and live at home with my parents,” Sison said. However, she feels she may have missed out on some opportunities by living off-campus. “I think it would make a big difference living on campus,” Sison said. “You
Seventy percent of San Diego State students are commuters. MONICA LINZMEIER, EDITOR IN CHIEF
meet so much more people just because you live on campus. For example, your roommates. You end up getting to meet their friends and friends of friends, and so on.” Her commute is about 30 minutes. Sometimes, she said, she feels left out of campus events because of where she lives. “I couldn’t attend some events because of the simple fact that I just
would be lazy to drive back and forth from home to school,” Sison said. “If I lived on campus, I wouldn’t have to worry about that.” Given the option, Sison would prefer to live on campus. “I have class until 10 p.m. sometimes, and during my breaks I would love to drive home and nap, but that would be a waste of gas and time,” She said. She also believes that living on
campus would make her more independent, and that most importantly, she would be able to wake up 20 minutes before class and still be on time. Communications sophomore and San Diego native Jordan Munro-Rankin also commutes to campus. She said that she wanted to live on campus, but didn’t think the price would be justified. “It makes more sense to live with my parents because it’s for free and I have my own room,” Munro-Rankin said. “If I lived here, I would have to pay $400 or more just to share a room.” Student Life and Leadership has a Commuter Resource Center for students. According to its website, “The Commuter Resource Center is a home base for students who commute to campus. This commuter-friendly space is available for students to eat, take a break between classes, relax, and make new friends.” Munro-Rankin was part of Casa Azteca in her first year, an organization for commuter students, and participated in events held in the commuter center. “We used to study there all the time, and I had a mentor I that I met twice a week,” Munro-Rankin said.
16 THE HOUSING ISSUE
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#ROOMMATEPROBLEMS
Cure a splitting (rent) headache CHRISTINE WHITMAN SENIOR STAFF WRITER ____________________________________ Attending college is a unique experience filled with late-night studying, spontaneous midnight outings and constant spending on food. Moving out of the freshmen dorms and into an apartment with a few newly found best friends is an experience all on its own. Unfortunately, sharing a new apartment is not all fun and games, as an apartment comes with several new responsibilities. One such responsibility is rent and how to split it. Money is always a touchy subject especially between broke college students, but talking through the process is a must. There are several ways to split the rent, but sadly, there’s no one-size-fitsall method. Several considerations are made when deciding what each person should pay, including the size of each room, the size of shared spaces, any amenities and the condition of each space. According to Kiplinger, roommates can "sidestep any big
blowups by discussing how you’ll address potential problems with your roommate(s) before you even sign a lease." When the time comes to sit down and discuss the cost of rent per person, consider these tips to make the process go by more smoothly. CONSIDER SPLITTING THE COST OF RENT BY SIZE If each room is approximately the same size then this should not be a problem. But if there’s a dramatic difference in size between two of the rooms, this money-splitting strategy should come into play. To figure out the cost of each room, figure out the square footage of each bedroom in the apartment. The rooms with more square footage cost more. If two people share a bedroom, the cost of that room would be split in half. CONSIDER SHARING A BEDROOM Sharing a room dramatically reduces the cost per person but may come with other hassles, especially if that other person’s schedule conflicts with yours.
If the cost per person is the largest concern, then sharing a room is the best option for a price reduction. If for any reason sharing a bedroom is out of the question, be prepared for a spike in price because privacy comes with an added cost. CONSIDER THE AMENITIES It goes without saying that the whole process of splitting the rent should be as fair as possible. According to Brick Underground, “The easiest way to determine whose room should be the most expensive is who has the most space, right?” There is always a chance that each person may not agree on what is considered an amenity -- everyone has personal preferences. For the most part, an en suite, balcony or walk-in closet is considered an amenity by realtors and renting professionals. If, however, one member of the group does not consider an en suite an amenity, adjustments may be made in price. CONSIDER PAYMENT METHODS If at all possible, try to hold each
person accountable for paying his or her own share of the rent. Ask the landlord or relator if each person can pay his or her pre-decided share separately. That way each person is held accountable, and one person out of the group isn’t dealing with the stress of making sure everyone pays. CONSIDER A COMPROMISE Sit down and talk with all of the roommates together. Try to develop a plan for expenses and put it in writing as it has the ability to stop arguments before they’re started. If one person makes more money a year and kindly offers to pay more, let them. Figuring out how to split rent is one of the hardest aspects of living in a shared apartment or house with other people. If there has been no consensus on cost, consider speaking with a realtor as they’re professionals and can help you with specific problems. Or consider using an online application such as Splitwise or RoomieCalc, which will calculate the rent per person automatically.
18 THE HOUSING ISSUE
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#CAMPUSCONSTRUCTION
New plaza offers mixed-use space LILIANA CERVANTES STAFF WRITER _____________________________________ South Campus Plaza is a unique student housing project that will incorporate a street-level commercial retail component open to the public. The residence hall is expected to open its doors in fall 2016. Director of Housing Administration Eric Hansen said the retail component will certainly be an asset to the campus community. “As a mixed-use project, South Campus Plaza will incorporate our best thinking in developing a space that meets the residential and retail needs of our campus and local community,” he said. “Both for today and for the future in an environmentally responsible way.” Located south of San Diego State’s Transit Center between Hardy Avenue and Montezuma Road, the plaza is meant to be a pedestrian, transit and bicycle friendly part of campus. It will include paths and greenery for students and residents to enjoy. South Campus Plaza is also applying green building guidelines to its design as a commitment to sustainability to stay environmentally responsible. The mixed-use project will be LEED Silvercertified and will implement methods to conserve water.
Sustainability program co-director Matthew Laurer said this project is a positive development on campus. “The design is right. It’s mixed use. It’s LEED certified. The LEED part of it to me is the cream on the top. The bigger move is just to have sensible urban planning.” The new plaza will include various retail shops, restaurants, a community market store and a 300-space parking structure to accommodate customers. Hansen said negotiations are continuing for the retail vendors and no leases have been signed at this time. The $143 million project will be able to house more than 600 students and will move SDSU closer to the housing the expected 10,000 students by 2025, which was articulated by the 2007 Campus Master Plan. “While our near-term plans do not have a specific goal for the number of students living on campus, we do see the academic, social, and environmental benefits for students in creating an increasingly residential university,” he said. “The completion of South Campus Plaza will increase our design capacity for SDSU-managed halls and apartments to approximately 4,700 beds.” With more students living on campus, traffic congestion is expected to decrease.
CROSSWORDS
ACROSS 1 “Carrie” Oscar nominee 7 Letters about time 11 __ Fit: video exercise game 14 Acid neutralizer 15 Restaurant chain named for a Mozart opera 16 It’s often cured 17 *Skedaddling 19 Physician’s org. 20 Snack brand creator Wally 21 Karaoke option 22 Take one’s sweet time 24 Half a score 25 Auction cry 26 Lamp emission, if you’re lucky 27 *Food often served with ranch
dip 30 __ Navidad 33 First-line national anthem word 34 Prefix with caching 35 With 38-Across, band with the hit “Radioactive,” and a hint to the ends of the answers to starred clues 38 See 35-Across 41 First-line national anthem word 42 Pigs out (on) 44 __ attitude 45 *Weigh, with “at” 50 Sensible 51 Stats for Mike Trout 52 Meditator’s intonations
The South Campus Plaza Residence Hall is expected to open its doors in fall 2016. MEGAN WOOD, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Laurer said the goal to get more students on campus is definitely a step in the right direction. Funding for the South Campus Plaza is coming from system-wide revenue bonds set by the state rather than SDSU tuition and fees. Hansen said South Campus Plaza will be paid by the next 30 years of revenue that it will generate. “This project, as with all construction, has required a lot of careful consideration and effort by many people on and off campus, but we see
the benefits certainly outpacing any challenges we have experienced,” he said. “This is a very exciting project for everyone involved.” To view its ongoing progress there is a live webcam that can be accessed on the South Campus Plaza website page. As a gateway between the university and the community, South Campus Plaza is expected to be a vibrant, inviting space that will provide a pleasant shopping, dining and living experience.
CLASSIFIEDS
55 Sand bar 56 Appear 57 Purveyor of many flat packs 58 Burst 59 *Real ordeal 62 Part of UCSD: Abbr. 63 Cheese that’s sometimes stuffed 64 Begin gently 65 Cut 66 Smashes 67 They’re often ruled DOWN 1 Occupied, as a table 2 Nice pen 3 Firestone Country Club city 4 Spam holders 5 Lilly of pharmaceuticals
6 In a way 7 Played the part of 8 Asset in a castle siege 9 Chi follower 10 Shower problem 11 Beating heavily, as with a sledgehammer 12 Post-apocalyptic Will Smith film 13 “Perhaps” 18 __ of Mexico 23 Young Darth’s nickname 25 Singer Quatro 26 Church attachment? 27 Popular 28 Took charge of 29 Just fair 30 __ bump 31 Phishing scam, e.g. 32 Church attendees 36 “O Holy Night,” for one 37 Journalism VIPs 39 Far from fails 40 It’s often bought at an island 43 Horror movie sounds 46 Dam-building org. 47 __-skelter 48 First fratricide victim 49 Loosen (up) 52 1930s migrants 53 Worthiness 54 Composer Saint-__ 55 Org for strays 56 Place that gave its name to a cat breed 57 “Say that’s true ... “ 60 No for the health-conscious 61 Retired NBAer Ming
Help Wanted Swimming Instructor $12/hr Swimming Instructors wanted! Monday-Saturday, full-time summer mandatory, part time during the school year. One year commitment required. CPR & WSI, prior teaching and competitive swimming background preferred. Please come down to our facility and fill out an application. 1012 Law Street, San Diego, CA 92109. www. murraycallanswimschools.com 858273-7946. ________________________________ Summer Part-time help. Disabled man needs help with daily chores and errands. CDL required. $12 an hour Contact: Doug (619)297-0884 or email to dmcqdale@cox.net ________________________________ Swimming Instructors Wanted-Pacific Beach $12/hr to start. Part-time now, full time required in the summer with one year commitment. CPR, WSI & competitive swimming background preferred. Please come check out our facility and fill out an application. www.murraycallanswimschools.com 858-273-7946. ________________________________
PLEASE NOTE: The Daily Aztec does not endorse or support and has no affiliation with the products or services offered in the Classifieds section. To place an ad in the Classifieds section, please visit thedailyaztec.com/classifieds
Help Wanted Business Development with Real Estate Company We are looking for two college students who are currently studying Real Estate to work with us on business development for our company. This will be incredible experience on acquiring and managing Real Estate. Please check out our two websites. www.InflexusMgmt.com and www.sbcappartners.com. The applicant most be extremely organized and dilligent. We will be building campaigns to find undervalued properties all over San Diego. Email bbfunding@gmail.com ________________________________
Announcements Part Time Job Make $1000/Month in your spare time. Flexible hours that we work around your schedule. No experience necessary. 10 hrs per week. Call or text: (619) 602-3128 - Matt Email mkocher91@gmail.com ________________________________ bartender/security South Mission beach bar help wanted, part time, flexible hours days and evenings, experience not necessary send resume to work@thecomber.com ________________________________
#rentbystate
compiled by: christine whitman senior staff writer
apartment pricing There are several aspects to consider when searching for a new place to call home. With so many options, and differing opinions from students, choosing a new
place to live can be an overwhelming experience. We at The Daily Aztec have compiled all of the necessary information to know your options for local living.
Design by: kate leonard art director
Suites on paseo Distance: 0.1 mile Price: $640-$1,920 Rooms: 1-3 Baths: 1-1.5 Amenities: Fully furnished, personal bath, flat-screen HDTV, Wi-Fi, cable, personal fridge, microwave, housekeeping services Utilities included: All
aztec corner
aztec campus
college campanile
hardy ave.
Distance: 0.1 mile Price: $1,518-$2,816 Rooms: 1-2 Baths: 1-2 Amenities: 40-inch LED TV, dishwasher, electric oven, entertainment center, fullsized fridge, garbage disposal, microwave, private balconies Utilities included: Cable TV, gas, Internet, sewer, trash, water
Distance: 0.1 mile Price: $2,270-$2,295 Rooms: 3 Baths: 2 Amenities: Broadband Internet, dishwasher, garbage disposal, window coverings, carpet, ceiling fan, private bathrooms Utilities included: Water, sewer, trash
Distance: 0.1 mile Price: $1,245-$2,645 Rooms: 1-3 Baths: 1-2 Amenities: Broadband Internet access, carpet, dishwasher, ceiling fans, garbage disposal, large bedrooms, private bathrooms, tile floors Utilities included: Water, sewer, trash
Distance: 0.1 mile Price: $2,195-$2,320 Rooms: 3 Baths: 2 Amenities: Broadband Internet access, carpet, dishwasher, ceiling fans, garbage disposal, large bedrooms, private bathrooms, tile floors Utilities included: Cable, water, sewer, trash
albert’s college apartments
paseo place
fifty twenty-five
campus village
Distance: 0.1 mile Price: $3,240-$7,320 Rooms: 2-6 Baths: 2-6 Amenities: Patio/balcony, 42-inch flat-screen TV, ceiling fans, 9-ft. ceilings, fully furnished, private bathrooms, central heat & air Utilities included: Internet, cable, water, sewer, trash
Distance: 0.9 mile Price: $570-$1,085 Rooms: 1-4 Baths: 1-4 Amenities: 42-inch flatscreen TV, individual leases, locking bedroom, attached bathroom, modern furniture available, ceiling fans, washer/ dryer, central air, heating Utilities included: Internet, water, sewer, gas, electricity
Distance: 0.4 mile Price: $570-$1,085 Rooms: Studio-3 Baths: 1-2 Amenities: Garbage disposal, ceiling fans, oversized closets, patio/balcony, city views available, air conditioning Utilities included: Water
blvd 63
the penthouse
the diplomat
Distance: 0.8 mile Price: $1,625-$4,400 Rooms: 1-4 Baths: 1-4 Amenities: Modern kitchens, quartz countertops, natural wood-style flooring, private balcony or patio, washer and dryer, fully furnished, 46� flatscreen TV, ceiling fans Utilities included: High speed Internet, HD cable
Distance: 0.6 mile Price: $1,033-$1,780 Rooms: 1-2 Baths: 1-2 Amenities: Broadband Internet, dishwasher, balcony/ patio, cable, garbage disposal, private bathroom, carpet, walk-in closets, ceiling fans, large bedrooms, window coverings Utilities Included: n/a
Distance: 0.6 mile Price: $1130-$1150 Rooms: 1-2 Baths: 1-2 Amenities: Air conditioning, dishwasher, large bedrooms, washer/dryer hookup, broadband Internet, fireplace, microwave, carpet, patio/ balcony, ceiling fan, private balcony Utilities included: n/a
Distance: 1.1 mile Price: $1,150-$1,425 Rooms: 2-3 Baths: 1-2 Amenities: Air conditioning, all-electric kitchen, cableready, carpeted floors, dishwasher, microwave, private balconies and patios, refrigerator, spacious walk-in closets, vertical blinds Utilities included: n/a
Sterling alvarado Distance: 1.1 mile Price: $1,075-$2,320 Rooms: Studio-4 Baths: 1-4 Amenities: 42-inch Flat Screen TV, wood style flooring, contemporary furniture, walk-in closets, washer/dryer, ceiling fans, stainless-steel sink, private patio/balcony, 9 ft. ceilings Utilities included: n/a
where do students live? how long does it take to commute to campus?
16% on campus Source: U.S. News and World Report
84% off campus
PB: 30 min downtown: 21 min la mesa: 13 min north park: 20 min
20 THE HOUSING ISSUE
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#LIVINGCOMMUNITY
Upperclassmen live on-campus life TAYLOR KNECHT CONTRIBUTOR ____________________________________ Students have a lot to consider when combing through a limited housing market, such as finding a place in a good area, a dependable landlord or discovering a place with reasonable rent and amenities — all while competing with many other people. It has become a dog-eat-dog world out there when tracking down a home worth living in, but luckily San Diego State has a solution called Aztec Journey to make this task for sophomores and upperclassmen a little easier. Aztec Journey is a thematic living community that started in 2013 as a program dedicated to housing older students in apartment complexes Villa Alvarado, Piedra Del Sol and Tarastec. “It started with the goals of recognizing that the interests and needs of sophomores and upper-division students are unique and different from those of first-time freshmen,” Director of the Housing Administration Eric Hansen said. Many components have been added
to give Aztec Journey a more apartmentlike feel. They provide single- and double- occupancy units with one to four bedrooms, which come fully furnished with a full kitchen and offer a more flexible policy in number of guests and length of a guest's stay. Rates can be as high as $1,545 per month or as low as $987. Cost depends on the apartment size, length of the lease and inclusion of a meal plan on campus. Rent also incorporates a flat rate for water, electricity, cable and Internet. Parking arrangements fall under the same rate as permits purchased for on-campus parking and can be used at the complex as well as at school. In addition, various amenities are extended to students such as big-screen TVs, pool tables and on-site laundry in Villa Alvarado and Piedra del Sol as well as access to Global Pathways for international studies in Tarastec. Security is also managed on each site. All apartments are gated and have live-in staff who patrol the premises, in addition to the SDSU Police as first responders for any incident. These complexes are unique in
Monthly rates in thematic living community Aztec Journey range from $987 to $1,545. THINKSTOCK
that they are home to the Residential Education program, which includes academic coaching, career and internship development skills, service learning, study abroad opportunities, and information on living in an independent environment. "Residents get the best of both worlds — a sense of independence living in an apartment, but also the sense of community that living on campus at SDSU provides,” said Andrew Bergee,
marketing and conference housing services coordinator. “It's easy to keep meeting people and making friends beyond their freshmen year.” Finding adequate housing can be difficult, especially for those who have never tried to do it before, but with Aztec Journey the transition can be a meaningful process. So, for all those freshmen looking for a place to live, the Office of Housing Administration may be a great place to start the search.
YOUR STUDENT LOANS CAN WAIT CELEBRATE WITH OVER 100 BEERS ON TAP
THE 50/50 50/50 patty, pepper jack, sunny side up egg, avocado mash, chipotle adobo mayo, brioche
Burgers. Bacon. Beer.
SAN DIEGO In Liberty Station next to Ace Hardware
slaters5050.com
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#ONCAMPUSLIVING
THE HOUSING ISSUE 21
A snapshot of living as an Aztec CAMI BUCKMAN STAFF WRITER ____________________________________ TYPICAL DORM Serena Garcia, astronomy freshman, hometown: West Covina, California When entering college, Serena Garcia wanted to have the “typical” freshman experience by living in a dorm. “Coming into my first year of college, I was a bit worried when I learned that I'd have to be sharing a cramped room with two other girls for a whole school year,” Garcia said. “Little did I know that I'd end up having an awesome time.” The residential halls on campus with standard single-room dorms are Tenochca, Chapultepec, Maya, Olmeca and University Towers. Garcia currently shares a triple room in Tenochca and loves it. She believes that the convenience of location and the social atmosphere of living in a dorm is very beneficial for freshmen. Living in a triple room and being surrounded by many hall mates allow Garcia to create friendships and
memorable experiences. “In my opinion, you won't get the full effect of college unless you live on campus in the dorms your first year,” she said. SORORITY HOUSE Elizabeth Burnett, nutrition sophomore, hometown: Orange County, California Often the chapter house is a place where important meetings, fun gettogethers and family dinners happen for sororities. Some girls in sororities are fortunate enough to live in these houses. Elizabeth Burnett has lived in the Gamma Phi Beta chapter house for the 2015 spring semester. Burnett has been a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority since fall 2013 and is currently the Panhellenic Affairs Vice President. Along with holding the responsibilities that come with being in a sorority, the girls who live in a sorority house have a special bond. “The benefits of living in (a chapter house) are that I am surrounded by all my best friends all the time, I get
cooked meals, and I always have a group of girls around me with many similarities,” Burnett said. The Gamma Phi Beta house is conveniently close to campus and even has a personal chef to cook for the occupants. “I highly recommend other girls to live in their sorority houses because it is an opportunity to get closer and more involved with your sorority,” Burnett said. Burnett said she loves living in the Gamma Phi Beta house, and she believes that living in the house has been one of the most fun experiences she has had at SDSU. LEARNING COMMUNITY Nathan Yick, journalism freshman, hometown: Alameda, California In certain residential halls, floors can be designated as learning communities. In these learning communities, students are immersed in a living environment that pertains to their major. Nathan Yick currently lives in the Journalism and Media Studies learning
community in the Olmeca Residential Hall. “I think learning communities are beneficial in a way that you get to be exposed to resources that pertain to your major,” Yick said. The only difference between living in a learning community and living in a non-learning community is the people students meet. Through Yick’s experience living in a learning community, he has learned that living on a non-learning community floor allows for more diversity. While he finds learning communities beneficial, Yick does not recommend incoming freshmen to live in one. “Learning communities help your academic career but not as much where it would be worth sacrificing social diversity for,” he said. Learning communities are great for building friendships with students who have similar interests. But Yick said he has learned that when creating relationships during one’s freshman year, social living situations may be more beneficial than academic ones.
finding a home in San Diego Finding a place to live can be tough, so here at The Daily Aztec we created this quiz to help you search for the perfect place to rest your head at night.
Kelly hillock Features editor + olivia litsey asst. features editor
start here! Do you love dogs or cats?
NO!
You should live in PB!
Are you a people person?
You love the night life and being close to the beach is more important than being close to campus.
YES!
BFFS!
Do you take a long time to get ready?
Would you rather go out or binge on netflix?
Are you BFFs with your roomies?
no!
netflix!
YES!
Do you need your beauty sleep?
YES!
You should live in a studio!
You thrive off having your own space, or your cat just hates everyone.
out!
no..
Are you involved in any clubs on campus?
Do you cook or just eat top i cook! ramen?
No!
no!
Do you have a car?
No!
YES!
You should live by campus!
You’re super busy and have a ton of Aztec Pride so living close to campus is important. Go Aztecs!
YES!
You should live in a house! You’re flexible and fun. Being close to campus isn’t necessary when you have wheels.
kate leonard, art director
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#CAMPUSCONSTRUCTION
THE HOUSING ISSUE 23
Zura renovation revamps dorm life KALAH SIEGEL STAFF WRITER _____________________________________ San Diego State students know the residence halls are at the center of the freshmen experience. They are the setting for all-nighters, new friendships, and a taste of independence. Simply put, living situations can make it or break it when it comes to a positive first year at SDSU. Fortunately the administration recognizes the high expectations students have when it comes to quality of living. That’s why they decided it was time to renovate Zura Residence Hall. The hall is 140,900 gross square feet and originally opened in 1968. The building is now undergoing a $53,292,000 makeover – its first full renovation ever. The revamped residence hall is designed to impact community and academic support, in addition to providing a comfortable place to call home. “The elevator landings between the three towers will be enclosed, providing better circulation and common space for the residents,” Director of Housing Administration Eric Hansen said. “There
The Zura Residence Hall renovation will be completed in mid-July. MEGAN WOOD, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
is programmed outdoor space on the sixth floor roof deck and on the first floor that activates social and academic gatherings.” While the elevators previously only stopped on even floors, they will now stop on every floor. The community will also feature rooms that abide by Americans with Disabilities Act regulations and a gender-neutral restroom on every wing of every resident floor.
These changes may seem subtle, but Zura Hall alumni will tell you how exciting these improvements truly are. The next round of Zura tenants will surely enjoy the infamous sixth floor roof deck and benefit greatly from the improved circulation. “My favorite part of Zura was meeting new people and making new friends, some of which I’m still close with. The sixth floor balcony sunsets were definitely a close second though,” child and family
development senior and former Zura Hall resident Chelsea Huettl said. “In regards to renovation, there wasn’t a whole lot that didn’t need renovating, so the renovation that’s happening now is awesome.” Huettl is one of the many students who called Zura home during her time at SDSU. Though she will not have the chance to reap the benefits of the renovation, she’s still excited for the next wave of residents to make dorm-life memories. Many are looking forward to the reopening of Zura Hall, but also curious about the future of several apartment complexes the school recently purchased to meet the demands of the displacement the renovation created. Theses complexes include Granada and Piedra del Sol. “SDSU will plan to operate the Granada apartments for first-time freshmen for one more year based on demand,” Hansen said. Zura Hall is scheduled to re-open July 15 in time to house incoming freshmen this fall. There is a live webcam of the construction progress on the SDSU NewsCenter website.
24 THE HOUSING ISSUE
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#CAMPUSCONSTRUCTION
Campus grows with new complex ALICIA CHAVEZ SENIOR STAFF WRITER ____________________________________ Whether you’re commuting or walking from an on-campus housing unit, it’s hard to dodge all the construction going on around San Diego State. Luckily, this means the campus is growing and these new changes will directly benefit students, such as the new housing options around campus. On the corner of Campanile Drive and Hardy Avenue, a new apartment complex, Campus Center Apartments, is currently under construction. The name is extremely fitting considering the site sits directly in one of the busiest areas of campus. Campus Center Apartments is a family-operated business with direct ties to SDSU. Property Manager and SDSU alumna Sundee Vance said plans to build the new site have been underway for more than a year. “We’re very excited to be where we are,” Vance said. “We wanted to be in the center of campus and help our residents succeed in their college experience.” Campus Center Apartments will
be four stories tall and will have 17 apartments available for leasing. There will be 65 individual bedrooms and it will hold a maximum of 83 residents. Campus Center Apartments chose to construct a housing complex near campus in order to encourage a community living experience that benefits students. They are also interested in better serving the SDSU student population, beginning with comfortable, affordable and convenient housing. “I think because we are a smaller building we hope to build a really strong community environment for our residents,” Vance said. “We also want to support their educational experience.” As far as special amenities, Campus Center Apartments will be offering a community room on the first floor of the building to encourage community events and big gatherings. The second, third and fourth floors of the building will each have patio areas with a barbeque pit. The idea is for students to use these areas for small community affairs and even places to study. The addition of barbeque pits is something most complexes in the area do not have.
Campus Center Apartments will have 17 apartments available for leasing. KELLY HILLOCK, FEATURES EDITOR
Anthropology senior Alyssa del Rosario is from San Diego and commutes to campus. She said there’s not enough affordable student housing around campus. “I thought about living on campus my freshman year, but it was too expensive,” del Rosario said. “I decided it was cheaper to stay at home.” However, new student housing areas on campus open the door for cheaper options. Del Rosario said that if more
affordable options were available, she would consider moving closer to campus because it’s more convenient. Campus Center Apartments are not currently affiliated with SDSU, but they’re not opposed to a housing partnership in the future. The complex is expected to open by fall 2015 and is currently taking residents interested in their units. Above all else, the Campus Center team is excited to begin the fall semester with new residents.
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
THE HOUSING ISSUE
#CLOSETOCAMPUS
25
International students find housing OLIVIA LITSEY ASST. FEATURES EDITOR ____________________________________ Securing a place to live is a big feat for many college students. Many American students find housing in the dorms during their freshmen year and continue the rest of their school years in whichever setting they prefer, such as in an apartment or group housing. However, the international student experience can be a little different. THE SEARCH Nutrition graduate student Yen-Tzu Tseng earned a bachelor’s degree from Taipei Medical University in Taipei, Taiwan before coming to San Diego State. She currently lives in the Zuma Apartments on Montezuma Road. “All of my roommates were Taiwanese,” Tseng said. “We found each other online, and we knew we four are going to San Diego State so we find an apartment together. I’m kind of lucky because they were very nice.” She said that during their search for a place to live, they struggled to make a final decision. They eventually chose to live in Zuma because it was a new complex that was already furnished. “It’s not hard to find a place to live, but it’s hard to decide,” she said. “My roommates and I found a place online because at the time we were in Taiwan. So we have no idea about the environment and about San Diego, so when tried to find it, we’d say, ‘Is that safe? Is that okay?’” Marketing junior Antonin Gaillou studied at Kedge Business School in Marseille, France for two years before coming to SDSU. He and another Kedge student wanted to find housing together. “We were having anxieties,” Gaillou said. “We could only base everything on the pictures. It’s also complicated, like the nine-hour time difference just to call the people.” Though they had initially hoped to find a place of their own, expenses ruled that option out. Only a short time before the school year was to start, they found some American SDSU students online who were looking for two more roommates to join them in BLVD63 apartments on El Cajon Boulevard. “Everything was done by email in like two weeks,” he said. “That was a gift from God, seriously.” THE DYNAMIC Gaillou said the dynamic of his living arrangement now is very different from how he lived in Marseille. “I was away from school, in my own place in the suburb, so I liked it,” he said. “But at the same time, I could get lonely because I was living by myself. So I knew that moving abroad so far away from home, I had to live in a place where I was going to see people on a daily basis.” Tseng said in Taipei she lived in an apartment near campus with roommates, similar to her apartment now. “In my school, most of the students were from Taipei, so they commute a lot,” she said. “But I’m not from Taipei, so that’s why I rented an apartment.” Associate Director for Residential
The Global Pathways thematic living community can be found in the Tarastec and Villa Alvarado apartments. KRISTIAN CARREON, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Education Edwin Darrell said international students can live on campus, as well. He mentioned that many of them live in Global Pathways, which are thematic residential living communities in the Tarastec and Villa Alvarado apartments that provide students with the opportunity to cooperate and become friends with others in an environment that strives for cross-cultural understanding. “The community assistants over in those areas do specific programming for the students in those communities,” Darrell said. “If the international student highlights that on their housing application, then we will put them in the Global Pathways village, but some of the international students just want to live with the regular students, so we’ll place them where their preference is.” THE EXPENSES Tseng said that while her living arrangements in San Diego are similar to where she lived in Taipei, it is more expensive here. “It’s also, like you can have your own kitchen, your own living room, but the price is very, very different,” she said.
“Here it’s much more expensive.” Gaillou remembered that, unlike SDSU students, most students lived alone in Marseilles because they were able to afford it due to assistance from the government. “I was paying $500 a month for my own apartment. The city we lived in, the rent was pretty expensive, but as students in France we can get a financial aid,” he said. “They have those financial aids for students until the age of 26. Everyone can afford to have their own place, which is a great thing.” THE EXPERIENCE Both Tseng and Gaillou have enjoyed their experience at SDSU so far. They both commented on the people and the atmosphere. “I found here people are more relaxed, because the area here is very big, but in Taipei — Taiwan is a small country, so we have very high buildings,” Tseng said. “Sometimes you feel it’s very crowded. (In San Diego) the buildings are not very tall, and when you see the sky it’s very big and wide. I like the sky here.” “In general, I really like the people here,” Gaillou said. “Most important the
people, and then second — weather. Beautiful California. It doesn’t get better than this.”
APRIL 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#FACULTYINRESIDENCE
THE HOUSING ISSUE 27
Faculty-in-residence provide relief LAINIE FRASER STAFF WRITER ____________________________________ Faculty-in-residence are professors who live within the residence halls. They are experienced individuals who are invested in and respectful of those around them. They even have meal plans in order to interact more with students. “FIRs enhance the intellectual atmosphere of the residence hall experience,” rhetoric and writing studies professor and current FIR member Paul Minifee said. “We serve as reminders that a resident’s priority should be academic success.” Minifee has been a FIR member at the Cuicacalli Suites for three years. He believes that FIRs are an incredibly important aspect of any college campus because they help students understand how to speak to professionals and communicate in a variety of situations. “Students need to learn how to navigate smoothly between their personal and professional identities,” he said. Upon moving into the dorms, many freshmen don’t know about FIRs.
Faculty-in-residence member Paul Minifee has lived in Cuicacalli Residence Hall for three years. MONICA LINZMEIER, EDITOR IN CHIEF
“At first I didn’t know that faculty members were going to be living in my dorm with me,” psychology sophomore and former Cuicacalli resident Amanda Zizzo said. “Now I know that they are here to help us with really anything we need.” While FIRs serve as liaisons between students and faculty, they can also simply be a friendly face to turn to. Time spent with a FIR doesn’t always have to be serious and academic. Minifee said he loves playing basketball with his residents. Many students feel comfortable working out their problems about classes, professors or even more
personal issues with them. “I’ve formed meaningful bonds with a handful of residents who consider me a confidant,” Minifee said. “For many residents, FIRs are mentors whose wisdom is guidance they trust.” Over the years, Minifee has become more invested in the welfare and success of his fellow residents because he is a witness to the pressures that students experience. Zizzo calls Minifee her life coach. “We discuss her personal relationships, her hopes and fears and life challenges that she’s seeking to overcome,” Minifee said. “I find it incredibly gratifying to
play a part in her personal and academic successes and she consistently expresses her gratitude for my genuine investment in her endeavors.” “He understands what it is like to be thrown in to a new environment on your own and away from home,” Zizzo said. “Just knowing that he was there if I needed him got me through a lot. I have since moved out of Cuic, but Dr. Paul and I remain close.” Minifee manages to build relationships with residents through his genuine sincerity for their well-being. He is also a strong academic resource. Twice every semester, he conducts Writing Placement Assessment workshops that have proven to be effective. “The positive feedback that I receive has been tremendous,” Minifee said. “I’ve received emails, cards and high-fives from residents who come back to thank me for helping them succeed on the WPA. That makes me feel as if I’ve made a difference.” FIRs are friends, allies and resources. They help prove that professors don’t bite and that residents have a friend to turn to in trying times.
28 the back page
april 23 - 29, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: kelly hillock • features@thedailyaztec.com
#stuffpeoplesay
People watching at State Kellie Miller staff writer ___________________________________
O
ne of the best parts about going away to college is moving out of your parents’ house and gaining the ultimate freedom to do absolutely anything you want. Our little college bubble that is our new home is sort of like living in an alternate universe where the craziest and weirdest actions become acceptable. In fact, they become the norm. Tearing up the streets around college housing is something we look forward to on the weekends, but what’s surprising is how entertaining it can be to stay in on a weekend night. Yes, it may sound super lame, but getting to witness some of the most interesting conversations from a different perspective is priceless. All you have to do is open your window. On any given late night you can expect to hear your five basic conversations: the “let’s get food” conversation, the “blind leading the blind” conversation, the “bromance” conversation, the “let’s just scream
song lyrics at the top of our lungs” and the “where’s Kelly” conversation. Spend a night being Boo Radley and I guarantee you will experience at least three of these. I kid you not, I made sure to listen one night last week and here are the exact quotes I heard people say: “Did you say McDonald’s,” asked the random girl to her girlfriends. “Oh yeah, I’m getting McDonald’s.
“Good luck man,” said the random guy to his buddy. “That’s a beautiful thing. That’s marriage.” This is not your ordinary conversation you hear between guys that are prowling the town. But, if you let the hour get late enough, the bromance mode is on — it’s loud enough for all to hear. “Where’s Kelly? Have you seen Kelly? She went to the bathroom ten minutes ago. I think she’s dead.”
she was way too excited for something she is definitely going to regret in the morning. Hey, we’ll meet you at McDonald’s. McDonald’s it is!” She was way too excited for something she is definitely going to regret in the morning. “Are you okay?” asked some guy to the girl he was with. “Seriously, just making sure you’re okay, okay?” From the lack of vocabulary and the slight slurs indicated maybe he needed to be checked on too. But hey, at least he’s trying, right?
Okay, so I didn’t actually hear this exact quote outside my window. Yes, it’s actually from Nick Swardson’s comedy standup. But, there is no way you have not heard some rendition of this — if not, actually guilty of it yourself. Living in a college environment is entertaining. Life outside this bubble will never be the same. Enjoy it now, experience it yourself or just listen in.
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HOROSCOPE happy Birthday (4/23/15) - This year's for home and family. Work takes a new direction. Detail the budget and launch your project after 6/14. Disciplined efforts pay fine dividends. Collaborate for community. Begin a new game (romance possible) after 10/13. Slow the pace and finish old business after 10/27. Rest and restore your spirit. HOW IT WORKS: 10 is good, 1 is bad. Aries (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a 7 - Home and family take center stage now. Enjoy a domestic phase today and tomorrow. Handle repairs and renovations. Friends give you a great idea and help out to realize it. Group efforts bear fruit now. Taurus (April 20 - May 20) - Today is an 8 - A solution to an old problem is becoming obvious. Keep working, you're making a good impression. You're exceptionally intelligent for the next two days. Accept a bonus from a generous person. You're creating a buzz. Gemini (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 9 - Business grows more profitable. It's a good time to ask for money. Watch for income opportunities over the next couple of days. Venture outside old boundaries for inspiration. A dream comes within reach. Savor a lovely moment. Cancer (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 9 - Conditions are changing in your favor. Abandon procrastination regarding a personal dream. You're getting stronger today and tomorrow. Action depends on your will power. Your friends are with you. Dress the part, and step onstage. Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 7 Produce imagery to describe your inner desires. A collage can express a vision or dream. A confusing situation could seem oppressive. Let a spiritual lesson sink in. Peaceful introspection satisfies today and tomorrow. Learn as quickly as possible. Imagine. Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is an 8 - Associates provide deeper insights. Many hands make light work today and tomorrow. A group project goes well now. Friends have resources you don't know about. Share your dreams and fantasies. The invitation says to dress up. Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is an 8 - Assume more responsibility today and tomorrow. Keep the others on course. Career matters take priority. Planning helps dreams to come true, and you can see the possibilities. Accept spiritual encouragement and blessings upon your enterprise. Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 9 - Today and tomorrow are good for travel. Realize a dream. Visit a place you've only seen in fantasies. The news affects your decisions. Check out options. Sometimes the detour is more enchanting than the original destination. Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is an 8 - Go over your finances and discover new ways to save money today and tomorrow. Consider strategies for growing your nest egg. Listen to your intuition, while doing your homework thoroughly. Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 9 - The focus is on peacemaking and partnership today and tomorrow. Abundance is available. Negotiate favorable terms. A promise made now is good. Get the contract in writing. Practice your game together. Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 9 - Begin an intense work phase over the next two days. There's heavy demand for your services. Immediate results could disappoint. Keep at it. Keep the objective in mind. Persistent efforts win out. Work from home if you can. Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is an 8 - Make more time for love over the next few days. Get dreamy. Talk about passions and enthusiasms. Go play and have fun. Celebrate with loved ones. Indulge your creative whims. Practice your arts and talents.