08-26-2015

weekly PRINT EDITION

wednesDAY, AUGUST 26 – tuesDAY, september 1, 2015 volume 102, Issue 3

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1913

W W W . T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M

time to rise,

aztecs

welcome letters P2 • sdsu tracks autism P4 • college depression P8 • freshmen move-in P10 COVER DESIGN BY HANNAH LINGLE-VEALE COVER PHOTO BY MEGAN WOOD

2 welcome home #letter

Welcome letter from President Hirshman

File photo

elliot hirshman SDSU president ____________________________________ August 26, 2015 On behalf of San Diego State University, it is my great pleasure to welcome our new and returning students to the start of the academic year.

It is an extraordinary time for our university. Countless individual programs – from entrepreneurship to research to international to the creative arts – have been recognized nationally, and the entire university has seen significant increases in our national rankings. Most recently, we were the only university in California named to Forbes magazine’s top 25 “best value” list – a ranking that recognizes the excellence, quality and effectiveness of our academic programs.

We are also moving forward in our philanthropic efforts and in enhancing our campus. The Campaign for SDSU, our first comprehensive fundraising campaign, has already raised over $625 million. These funds are supporting endowments for scholarships, professorships, and academic programs, as well as the construction and renovation of our facilities.

Collectively, these new and renovated facilities will provide significant opportunities for our students, faculty and staff.

Construction is complete on the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union, Storm-Nasatir-Hostler Hall, Zura Hall, Page Pavilion and the Jeff Jacobs JAM Center. Work is underway on South Campus Plaza — with its student residences, restaurants and retail – and on our Engineering and Interdisciplinary Sciences Complex.

Our bustling campus is welcoming approximately 5,000 freshman and 3,500 transfer students. The freshman class is the most academically distinguished in our history, and our transfer students now have a record 84 percent graduation rate.

Thanks to increased funding from our Student Success fee, our students have available a host of new co-curricular academic programs ­— everything from lecture series to conferences and academic competitions.

Hundreds of new faculty and staff members are joining the Aztec family to teach, mentor and support our students, and we have countless new efforts and initiatives moving forward to support our students’ personal, professional and intellectual development.

These include, among others, our Aztec Mentor Program, our Commuter Resource Center, the Jeffrey Glazer Center for Leadership and Service, the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center, our Pride Center, our Women’s Resource Center, our Math Center, our Writing Center, the Susan and Stephen Weber Honors College, and the Zahn Innovation Platform.

We are increasing our focus on transformational experiences such as studying abroad, conducting research, and participating in internships. I hope you will participate in one or more of these important programs.

As president of San Diego State, it is my pleasure to recognize the extraordinary efforts of our students, faculty and staff in moving our university forward. We’re pleased that you are part of the Aztec family, and I look forward to seeing the contributions you make to our community in the coming year.

aug. 26 - sep. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: matthew bain • me@thedailyaztec.com

#letter

Welcome letter from the editor in chief

File photo

kelly hillock editor in chief ____________________________________ Welcome home, Aztecs — to those of you who are new to our campus and the many who are returning. We have an exciting year ahead, full of new opportunities — the new home for the Zahn Center, innovation in our astronomy department, and the upcoming Aztec football season. San Diego State was recently recognized

by Forbes in the #MyTopCollege campaign as the fifth best in the nation, but we all know the Mesa is number one in our hearts.

We, the editors, writers, advertisers and designers of The Daily Aztec, are proud to be part of this award-

winning newspaper. We work hard to put together the best possible product to reflect the diversity and accomplishments of our campus, so thank you for picking up this newspaper.

In recent years, this 102-year-old newspaper has faced adversity and seen more changes to its structure than ever before. We have reduced our print publication and launched a video section to move toward a true multimedia organization. The Daily Aztec will now be published weekly on Wednesdays, and our website will be updated with new content daily. Special, themed issues will be published every other week. In fact, keep an eye out for our “Football Preview” issue on stands Sept. 9.

The Daily Aztec needs your help to create the best newspaper possible.

We’re here to not only celebrate the accomplishments of our Aztecs, but also to be your resource for important campus issues. Please join our conversation, whether by email, Facebook or Twitter — we want to hear from you. I challenge you to write us a letter to the editor about something you believe needs to be addressed or what makes your Aztec experience unique. The Daily Aztec is your newspaper, so please don’t stay a stranger. Your voice will help us create a newspaper that better reflects the needs of our 30,000-plus community.

After all, it’s going to be an exciting year. And I can’t wait to tell your stories.

Welcome back, Aztecs. I hope your semester is filled with plenty of “I Believe” chants, good grades and California burritos.

Go Aztecs!

your paper.

News

aug. 26 - sep. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEc editor: quinn owen• News@thedailyaztec.com

3

The SDSU expansion plan would create new housing and multipurpose developments in the College Area near Interstate 8. The California State University Board of Trustees must allocate additional funds for traffic mitigation.

Megan Wood, Photo editor

#SDSUConstruction

California court makes CSU pay carmen huerta Contributor ____________________________ The California Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that the California State University Board of Trustees inadequately approved a San Diego State expansion project.

The ruling requires the university to fund infrastructure costs to alleviate traffic and congestion created by the expansion project.

If the CSU provides the necessary funding, the project could make room for 10,000 more full-time students and up to 1,300 more faculty and staff members by fall 2024.

SDSU’s campus boundaries could push toward Interstate 8 and include a highquality, affordable-housing development with about 348 units for faculty and staff.

A 612,000 square-foot classroom complex with an adjoining parking garage, a 120room hotel, a 70,000 squarefoot conference center, housing structures to accommodate 2,796 students, and the recently renovated Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union are also included in the plan.

However, the plan failed to allocate funds to reduce the

impact of traffic congestion on the surrounding College Area neighborhoods and Interstate 8.

An environmental impact report, a which outlines environmental factors affecting an area during a land development or construction project, must be submitted to local government before any movements are approved.

According to a brief by Deputy City Attorney Christine Leone, SDSU is required to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act. The brief cites California’s public resources environmental code, which says the state must: “Create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony to fulfill the social and economic requirements of present and future generations’ preservations of the environment for generations to come.”

According to Leone’s legal brief, the CSU prioritized its goals over the concerns of the community.

A segment of the final state Supreme Court ruling reads, “We expect the Board, in any new EIR, will proceed in accordance with CEQA‘s

standards and procedures, including its provisions for public comment, and make all required findings in good faith and on the basis of substantial evidence.”

Leone said the final ruling showed the high court sided with the San Diego city attorney’s interpretation instead of the CSU’s claim.

Public universities have been responsible for paying public works improvement costs, such as traffic control, since the landmark state Supreme Court ruling in July 2006 involving CSU Monterey Bay. “This is an important decision which treats the CSU system like any other developer,” San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said in a press release. “It must come to the table and negotiate its fair share in a way that protects the environment and protects the city’s taxpayers. I am proud that our City Attorney’s Office took the lead on this important legal issue, which has great significance in cities throughout our state.”

Some community members have objected to expanding SDSU in the College Area and felt their concerns have not been heard since the project was approved in November

2007.

Gary Campbell is chair of the College View Estate Association, which represents the neighborhood just west of SDSU. He said the citizens’ concerns were never properly addressed.

“I think the current president tried to open up communication a lot more than some of the previous ones did, but still there is an attitude (within the CSU) that, ‘We can do whatever we want and we’ll tell you what we are doing after the decision has been made to do it, but we are not going to involve you at all in the planning of whatever we are doing,’” Campbell said.

Campbell added the university should follow the same rules as any other developer.

He said the city should not have to bear the cost of its expansion and SDSU should pay to mitigate the traffic, noise and anything that comes along with an expansion.

CSU Executive Vice Chancellor Framroze Virjee worried about the costs of funding the project.

“Environmental mitigation is costly, and the CSU will be required to seek additional funding to meet increased

enrollment needs and to cover mitigation expense,” Virjee said in a statement. “We look forward to working with state agencies and with our local communities throughout the state to meet our citizens’ needs and serve the state of California.”

Campbell is pleased the university will abide by the same rules as other developers.

“The university thought they were the big dogs and thought they could do whatever they wanted and they didn’t have to consult anyone or follow any other rules that any other developer must follow,” Campbell said. “We just think that is wrong. We are big supporters of the university, but they need to be good neighbors, and they need to follow the same rules everyone else does.”

Leone is optimistic the ruling will finally bring the neighborhood and the university to an agreement.

“I think this gives the opportunity for SDSU and the city to come together as partners to find a way to make sure that that surrounding community develops in a way that’s compliant with environmental laws and public safety,” Leone said.

4 news

aug. 26 - sep. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEc editor: quinn owen• News@thedailyaztec.com

#sdsuresearch

SDSU tracks adult autism

SDSU researchers Ralph-Axel Müller and Ruth Carper are launching a study focused on adults with autism.

Courtesy of sdsu department of pyschology

emely navarro Senior Staff Writer ____________________________________ More than 3.5 million Americans live with autism spectrum disorder.

Between 2002 and 2010 autism has increased between 6 and 15 percent each year. Despite this increase, little is known about how autism affects adults.

San Diego State researchers are launching a new study of people with autism as they age into their adult years.

Although there is an abundance of research involving children with autism, not much is known regarding adults aged 40-65.

“The vast majority of people who know about autism have only heard of children and teenagers having the problem, but they will continue to remain autistic throughout their whole lives,” Selma Star, an adult with autism,

said.

With the aid of a $3.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, SDSU psychology professor RalphAxel Müller and SDSU neuroscientist Ruth Carper will embark on a five-year study looking specifically at adults who have autism.

The project is building on a study Carper began years ago which looked at the cognitive abilities of a wide range of adults with autism.

“Preliminary findings suggested that some problem behaviors may become more difficult in these individuals as they get older, but it’s still too soon to know what happens with cognition and memory,” Carper said.

Some of the people Carper previously studied will be involved in the new study.

By using previously studied participants, the researchers will be able to see how they have progressed over the years.

This study will compare 70 people with and without autism aged 45-65.

“Participants will take a series of detailed neuropsychological tests to quantify their cognitive abilities such as language, problem solving and memory,” Carper said.

They will also undergo a 60-minute brain-imaging procedure at a facility at UC San Diego. Then in two years they will repeat the procedure.

The two-year gap allows the researchers to see how the brain and cognitive functions change as each individual gets older.

“Comparing subjects should provide statistical power to allow us to detect differences between groups and to examine differences between our youngest and oldest participants,” Carper said.

This study will be administered at SDSU’s department of psychology and the SDSU Research Foundation.

All the information collected will expand the department’s atypical brain and cognitive development research.

“Since this population is so rarely studied, the project has the potential to continue for many years in the future,” Carper said.

Currently, the study is in its early phases.

Researchers are determining the data they want to collect for the study and are beginning to gather study participants. Within a couple of months the first participants will begin testing.

Once the project has concluded, the team will publish the data collected in a scientific journal, making it accessible to the public.

With this information, scientists and other research groups can develop more ways to help adults who have autism.

Buddhist Greek life at SDSU For the first time, a Buddhist fraternity and sorority are coming to the San Diego State campus.

This year, the Delta Beta Theta sorority and Delta Beta Tau fraternity are in the process of becoming chartered Greek organizations.

Jeff Zlotnik, co-founder of the Dharma Bum Buddhist Temple in San Diego, and Abby Cervantes, a student of the temple, are establishing the new organizations on campus.

They will spend the semester gathering members and gauging campus interest.

This semester they plan to begin meeting weekly to meditate and discuss

Editor In Chief Kelly Hillock Managing Editor Matthew Bain News Editor Quinn Owen asst. News Editor Torrey Bailey Sports Editor Patrick J. Carr asst. sports Editor Ryan Posner Opinion Editor Amanda Kay Rhoades asst. opinion Editor Anthony Berteaux ARTS & LIFESTYLE Editor Olivia Litsey asst. ARTS & LIFESTYLE Editor Ryo Miyauchi Photo Editor Megan Wood Digital Content EDITOR Annalise Dewhurst video producer Daniel Galuppo production designers Kaylee Andrews Hannah Lingle-Veale volunteer writers Emely Navarro Carmen Huerta Caitlynne Leary Anthony Reclusado Christine Whitman volunteer photographers Sarah Smith Chadd Cady Andy Farra __________________________________ Advertising Director Adam Zabel Sales Manager AJ Swamy Marketing manager Radbeh Rabaz

#Buddhistgreeklife

caitlynne leary Contributor ____________________________________

Who’sWho?

Buddhism. Soon, they will formally request to join the Greek community.

As a former social fraternity member at the University of Arizona, Zlotnik said he understands college kids have a different lifestyle than monks, and he does not want to lecture them.

He said teaching new members compassion and kindness can change both their lives and the lives of others.

He hopes to enrich their college experience.

“It’s not just about those four years.

You’re impacting their entire life and their future,” he said. “That’s something you have to take seriously.”

Sandra Wawrytko, director of the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies and a professor in the philosophy department, supports starting the new organizations.

“I think it’s a fantastic idea,” she said. “I think it would be a really nice addition to the diversity of the campus.”

While there is little precedent for Buddhist Greek organizations on campuses around the country, Wawrytko is excited to see the student body’s response.

Zlotnik plans for the organizations to be social and enlightening.

While preserving cultural traditions, the organizations will host intramural sports, philanthropic outings and events with other organizations on campus.

“Instead of a keg, we’ll have a meditation room,” Zlotnik said.

Zlotnik expects his organizations will generate interest and have similar longevity as Greek organizations around the country.

Account Executives Conor Nordberg Emmilly Nguyen Christopher Garcia Kelsey Silver Accounting & Contracts Alfonso Barajas Kalie Christensen __________________________________ General Manager Jay Harn Graphics Specialist Chris Blakemore __________________________________ ADVERTISING 619.594.6977 advertising@thedailyaztec.com editorial 619.594.4190 editor@thedailyaztec.com Print The Daily Aztec publishes 5,000 copies of its weekly print edition on Wednesdays.

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sports 5

aug. 26 - sep. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: patrick carr • sports@thedailyaztec.com

courtesy of sdsu athletics

#Aztecfb

Quick guide to 2015 Aztec football TRANSPORTATION

PROMOTION schedule

TICKETS

Students can get to Qualcomm Stadium via the MTS Trolley, which has a station on campus and is only two stops away.

It’s $5 for an all-day pass and $2 more for a Compass Card, which is scanned upon entering the trolley station.

Additionally, students can get the MTS app on their smartphones and purchase an all-day pass for $5.50 Keep in mind the all-day pass becomes null and void should the phone run out of battery.

By car, there are a couple ways to go.

One involves taking Interstate 15 north to Westbound Friars Road.

Another way in is San Diego Mission Road, which can be accessed by Camino del Rio North, which runs adjacent to Interstate 8.

Parking is $10 per vehicle. There should be plenty of parking, seeing as the games average around 35,000 spectators and the parking lot is built for a stadium that has a capacity of 71,294.

Handicap parking is also available throughout the stadium parking lot.

Sept. 9, 5 p.m., USD The Cox Communications Student Tailgate is in parking section C-1, which is in Aztec Village.

Students with a valid Red ID get free admission, food and entertainment.

Additionally, the first 2,500 students will receive a free SDSU athletics T-shirt.

SDSU students get free admission for all regular-season athletic events with a valid Red ID. Tickets are distributed on a gameby-game basis around two weeks in advance at the Viejas Arena box office on campus, or on game day at Qualcomm Stadium at windows B, F and H. Student seating is general admission in sections 43-57 in the plaza level of the stadium.

Students can also purchase up to two guest tickets at the lowest price of regular tickets, which start at $12.

Those must be purchased by the SDSU student and are also available in advance at the Viejas Arena box office or at Qualcomm Stadium at windows B, F and H. Like student tickets, guest tickets are valid in sections 43-57 in the plaza level at the stadium.

Guest ticket pricing for the University of San Diego, Fresno State and the University of Wyoming games is $16.

Against South Alabama, Utah State and University of Nevada, the price drops to $12.

Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m., Fresno State The GigTown Music Festival will take place pre-game.

Students get free admission and entertainment.

There will also be an Aztec Calendar hat giveaway to the first 20,000 fans.

This is also during Family Weekend, a time for parents to come to campus and get an inside look at SDSU life.

Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m., Wyoming SDSU Homecoming Weekend, which will feature a halftime ceremony crowning homecoming royalty.

Nov. 28, TBA, Nevada Senior Day/Fan Appreciation Day. Fans will have the chance to win gift

Student Ticket Pick-Up Game Day/Opponent/Ticket Avalible

9/5

USD

now

9/19 S. alabama 9/8 10/3 fresno st.

10/23

utah st.

11/14

wyoming

11/28

nevada

9/21 10/5 10/26 11/16

Information compiled by Patrick Carr and Ryan Posner

6 SPORTS

AUG. 26 - SEPT. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: PATRICK CARR • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

#AZTECFB

Offensive line shines with Schmidt better suited the offensive line.

In 2007 he earned what every walkon athlete imagines holding one day: a scholarship.

“It was a dream to earn the scholarship,”

For the next two years, he worked as a graduate assistant until being named a full-time assistant coach in 2012.

In hindsight, Schmidt’s promotion was a no-brainer -- his fingerprints are all over the program’s recent success.

At least two offensive linemen have earned allconference accolades - Mike Schmidt each year SDSU OFFENSIVE LINE COACH since he took over as the Schmidt said. “Most walk-ons do not get offensive line coach in 2012. that opportunity, so to have earned it In that time, SDSU ranks in the top while playing was an honor.”

30 nationally in rushing yards per game To cap off his playing career atop the (201.1), rushing yards per carry (4.9) and Mesa, Schmidt was named a captain his rushing touchdowns (86). senior season.

“My philosophy is simple: Come to work In his final home game as an Aztec, ready to learn and do what you’re told,” he played with a torn medial collateral Schmidt said. “The guys that come here ligament (MCL) in his knee. respond well to that.”

“I remember tearing my MCL three As the only coach that worked at SDSU weeks left in the season during practice,” prior to the Brady Hoke era, Schmidt he said. “But I knew it was my last football realizes how far the program has come, game ever and I wanted to go out playing especially under head coach Rocky Long. with my guys.”

“In my four years as a player we did After his final season, Schmidt realized not win a lot of games, so to see what he couldn't walk away from the game he Hoke started and Long has continued loved and traded his cleats for a whistle. is amazing,” he said. “This program has As he was finishing his bachelor’s come so far in my time here to where degree, Schmidt volunteered as a student winning eight or nine games is the assistant with the team in 2009. standard and I am glad to be a part of it.”

“ ...I KNEW IT WAS MY LAST FOOTBALL GAME EVER AND I

WANTED TO GO OUT PLAYING WITH MY GUYS.”

Offensive line coach Mike Schmidt (left) watches as offensive linemen go through drills at SDSU’s fall camp.

SARAH SMITH, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

ANTHONY RECLUSADO SENIOR STAFF WRITER The offensive line might be the least glamorous position in football, and at times it's undervalued. That's no secret.

Often fans only take notice of these hulking giants if they draw a penalty, allow a sack or if the media talks about them.

And that only happens when the linemen underachieve.

But don't tell that to San Diego State offensive line coach Mike Schmidt.

“I know most fans have little idea the

level of difficulty of what goes into line play,” Schmidt said. “The game is won and lost there. The players might look like dancing bears on the line, but every movement has a purpose. One mistake can blow up an entire play, ruin a series and lose a game.”

Although he's only entering his fourth season as an assistant coach, Schmidt, a local Madison High product, has been part of Aztec football for a decade.

Schmidt arrived on campus in 2005 as a walk-on player on the defensive line. After watching him play one season on defense, the coaching staff realized Schmidt's skills

THERE WAS NEVER ANY QUESTION THAT RALEIGH MATERN WOULD ATTEND SDSU. HIS FATHER AND UNCLE WERE ALUMNI, AND HIS GRANDFATHER ADVISED THE SPANISH DEPARTMENT. RALEIGH IS ENROLLED IN THE SUSAN AND STEPHEN WEBER HONORS COLLEGE, A MAJOR INITIATIVE OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR SDSU. DONOR SUPPORT FOR THE HONORS COLLEGE WILL ACCOMMODATE INCREASED ENROLLMENT AND DEVELOP CHALLENGING NEW CURRICULA FOR HIGH-ACHIEVING STUDENTS. VISIT CAMPAIGN.SDSU.EDU

SPORTS7 #SHOTSOFTHEWEEK

AZTEC SHOTS OF THE WEEK

SDSU men’s soccer players Winston Sorhaitz (top) and Dallin Cutler (bottom) during last week’s loss to USD. CHADD CADY, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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8 Opinion

aug. 26 - sept. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: amanda kay rhoades • opinion@thedailyaztec.com

According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance and ucla

While 6.7 percent of American adults are clinically depressed, an overwhelming 9.5 percent of surveryed college freshman say that within the past year they have felt clinically depressed.

#collegedepression

9.5% 6.7%

design by kaylee andrews & hannah lingle-veale

Do more for depressed students anthony bearteaux ASst. opinion editor Shortly after Robin Williams’ suicide, clinical psychologist Michael Friedman offered sobering commentary about the illness that perhaps triggered the tragedy. In an article for CNN, Friedman wrote, “Depression does not discriminate, cannot be bargained with and shows no mercy.” Without trivializing the illness, Friedman touched on a bitter but important truth: While factors such as family history and substance abuse can be primary causes of the complex illness, depression can happen to anyone at anytime and anywhere.

This truth is even more accurate for San Diego State and college campuses. This past April, we found ourselves mourning SDSU engineering freshman Christian Pier Ayala, who died by suicide after drowning in Lake Murray. For many who knew Ayala for his “innate ability to light up a room, bringing life and laughter to those around him,” the means of his death were perhaps shocking. A punctured raft, empty bottle of vodka and suicide note signaled this wasn’t an isolated incident, but a calculated result of an ongoing struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts.

Which leaves us with a realization to confront: The pressing issue of depression and suicide among college students also isn’t isolated, it is systemic. As hundreds of new college freshmen come to SDSU to find their place on campus and experience the “best years of their lives,” they

might be unaware they’re part of a demographic that struggles with the highest rates of depression and suicide.

After last semester’s tragedy, the SDSU administration needs to make combating college-age depression a priority.

An annual survey conducted by UCLA found incoming freshmen from the 2014-15 school year were the most depressed they’d been since the survey began 49 years ago. According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, 6.7 percent of American adults are clinically depressed. But the UCLA study found an overwhelming 9.5 percent of surveyed college freshmen said they felt clinically depressed to the point where it became “impossible to function” in the past year.

The growing rate of depressed college students is becoming a concern for college counseling directors. In a 2013 survey, more than 95 percent of college counseling directors said the number of students with significant psychological problems (anxiety leading with 41.6 percent, depression at 36.4 percent) was a growing issue.

Perhaps, it is also no coincidence suicide has become the second-most common killer of college students, according to suicide.org.

This rise in college-student depression can be attributed to many factors, according to the American College Health Association: situational anxiety, stress about school, helicopter parenting, finances, social anxiety and new environments.

Recession-era millennials who enter college aware of rising graduate

unemployment and crushing postgrad debt can experience depression through what American psychologist Rollo May would say is “the inability to construct a future.”

However, despite this pervasive issue, depressed college students aren’t getting the help they need primarily because of two reasons: inadequate, overburdened mental health facilities on college campuses, and a negative social stigma associated with mental illness.

This social stigma was made all too apparent when Fox News host Shepard Smith (who has since apologized) called Robin Williams a “coward” for resorting to suicide after struggling with depression.

Claims that depression is as curable as the common cold and is simply a result of “being in a funk” add to the stigma of depression in college.

But, depression isn’t as trivial as it might sound. Depression is not simply the state of being “depressed,” it is a legitimate debilitating mood disorder.

Much like how physical disorders handicap a person’s physical abilities, depression limits a person’s ability to function mentally.

Unfortunately, this stigma is also being perpetuated on the administrative level.

High-profile cases of students being barred from Yale, UC-Santa Barbara, Northwestern and Princeton after their depression surfaced confirm students’ fears that their mental illness could get them kicked out of school.

When Rachel Williams sought help from Yale after having depression and harming herself, she was forced to

withdraw from school, according to an account she wrote for Yale’s campus newspaper. Williams’ story isn’t unique.

Over 62 percent of students that withdraw from college do so because of mental health issues, per a survey released by the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

These incidents and Ayala’s death beg an honest reckoning from us as a community about what can and should be done when combating college depression and suicide.

As a school, we can and must do better for each other.

Ayala’s death could have been prevented. While students are made aware of the available counseling services, admitting that one has depression is hard to do on one’s own.

Maybe acknowledging how common it is among college students would normalize the process of seeking help.

Perhaps the best we as students can do is stop being bystanders. Stephen Fry, an English comedian who has publicly spoken about his depression, said, “If you know someone who’s depressed, please resolve never to ask them why. Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness, and loneliness they’re going through.

Be there for them when they come through other side. It’s hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest, noblest and best things you will ever do.”

The question of depression isn’t concerned with how or why it happened, but how we can be better, do better and move forward for each other.

aug. 26 - sept. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: OLIVIA LITSEY • FEATURES@thedailyaztec.com

arts & lifestyle 9

#exceptionalaztecs

Hospitality student tackles a beast

Emma Marx was an intern at Four Seasons Hotel.

Courtesy of Emma marx

OLIVIA LITSEY ARTS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR Hospitality and tourism management senior Emma Marx was born and raised in California, yet her summer break this year was not spent enjoying the beaches, mountains or deserts that make up the state. No, she decided to go to St. Louis, Missouri.

“Who spends their summer in St. Louis when they live in San Diego?”

hospitality and tourism management program director Carl Winston said.

“Emma’s somebody who expressed a willingness to work anywhere (and) try anything. So we were able to connect her to Four Seasons at the NSHM (National Society of Minorities in Hospitality) conference and boom, she’s crazy enough to move to St. Louis. I mean, I just love that she did that.”

NSMH, an association that is represented by a student chapter at San Diego State, held a conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania last February where Marx got to meet some recruiters from Four Seasons Hotel. The company only takes on interns at three of their locations across the country. Four interviews later, Marx was offered an internship with the hotel and became one of 12 interns at the St. Louis location.

Marx feels lucky to have been given the opportunity. Though she has already worked at country clubs and restaurants for five years gaining experience, she sees working at a big hotel like Four Seasons as a new challenge. “(Hotels are) a pretty large beast, which is what everyone was telling me before I went, but I still like it,” Marx said. “I walk around with a little notebook during my internship and take down notes about things that I’ve learned and things to remember and

how they do things so that hopefully I can retain it all.”

As a food and beverage intern, her position consisted of completing a project with a group of interns. She worked almost 60 hours during the busy week of the Fourth of July. She also experienced three separate rotations in different areas of the hotel, and her day-to-day duties were dependent on her assigned rotation. Her favorite was the banquet rotation because it aligns with one of her goals to become a hotel banquet-operations director.

“I just want to be able to really be in charge of banquets and setting everything up and seeing everything through,” Marx said. “It’s kind of like a big puzzle. This piece needs to be ready then, and then that one. And how are you going to make sure it’s all done on time and ready for the guests? I just love it, creating special moments for people.”

Marx will continue to pursue her career goals this semester through her involvement with multiple organizations on and off campus, including the California Restaurant Association, NSMH and Foodies, the last of which she is president. She talked about how she initially joined Foodies almost two years ago as meetings and events coordinator and how much she enjoys being a member.

“I just fell in love with Foodies,” she

said. “One of our things we do is a Restaurant a Month, where we showcase a different restaurant throughout San Diego every month and have a (familystyle) meal and the front-of-house manager will come out and speak to us and give us some advice.”

While Marx considers herself to be a leader-in-progress, both Winston and Jeff Campbell, hospitality and tourism management master’s program director, already see her as a leader. Campbell described her as a sharp, professional and engaged standout from the other students in his Service Leadership Development undergraduate course last semester.

“We have student team activities where there’s no designated leader and we wait to see if anybody emerges,” Campbell said. “In both of those, she immediately popped out as a leader of the group and everybody looked to her as the leader.”

Winston described her as “silent but deadly.”

“She doesn’t come into a room and say, ‘Hey everybody, I’m here, look at me,’ like some charismatic leaders do,” he said. “She’s more like, ‘Hey everybody, what are we going to get done?’ And then she just gets stuff done.

She’s the kind of boss you’d love to have and I predict a lot of career success for her.”

10 ARTS & LIFESTYLE

AUG. 26 - SEPT. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: OLIVIA LITSEY • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

#DORMLIFE

New residents make SDSU home OLIVIA LITSEY A&L EDITOR ____________________________________ San Diego State’s campus was buzzing last Friday, Aug. 21 with a nervous yet excited energy.

There’s nothing like the atmosphere on move-in day at SDSU. Despite the nerves, there’s a palpable exhiliaration as new Aztecs step foot onto their new home.

The sound of moving carts on concrete, roommates meeting for the first time and teary-eyed parents filled the air as more than 4,500 SDSU students moved into the residence halls.

It’s the largest freshman class in school history.

Of these new residents, 670 moved into the newly renovated Zura Hall, which was completed in early August.

Renovations included improving the building’s infrastructure and adding study and lounge space.

The other halls freshmen moved into were Maya, Olmeca, Granada, Cuicacalli, University Towers, Tenochca, Zapotec, and Chapultepec.

The Daily Aztec spoke with a few of SDSU’s newest students about their thoughts going into their freshman year.

We caught these students of SDSU on their first day of the rest of their lives as Aztecs for life.

Samantha Elane, Business

Colin Moe, Business

Baili Blackwell, Kinesiology

Which dorm?

Zura Where are you from? Why SDSU? My dad was in the army so we moved around a lot, but his family’s from here and I chose SDSU because it’s a good school and it’s beautiful.

Thing looking forward to the most?

Meeting new people, getting a good vibe.

Which dorm?

Tenochca Where are you from? Why SDSU? Sacramento. We lived in SoCal for a little bit in San Clemente and when I got in here I came to the campus and I really fell in love with the place.

Thing looking forward to the most?

The personal growth I’m going to go through.

Something you’re nervous about?

My parents are pretty cool so I’ll miss them. They’ll be 500 miles away, but it’s all good.

Which dorm?

Zura Where are you from? Why SDSU? I’m from Los Angeles. I chose SDSU because I heard it’s a really good school based off of people that went here before I went here. I knew it was hard to get into so I was surprised, myself, that I got in.

Something you’re nervous about?

I’m kind of scared about getting to class on time because it’s a really big school.

Sydney Tran, Chemistry Which dorm?

Zura Where are you from? Why SDSU? I’m from Orange County. I originally wanted to go to UCSD and I didn’t get in and I looked further into the schools and I would much rather go here. Just because of the atmosphere, it’s a lot more fun over here, I feel like.

Something you’re nervous about?

Probably just my classes because Chemistry is really hard — it was hard in high school, let alone here, so I’m kind of nervous for that.

Michelle De La Rosa, Communication Which dorm?

Tenochca Where are you from? Why SDSU? Venezuela, I’ve always loved California so that’s why I chose to come here.

Cheyenne Mills, Child and Family Development Which dorm?

Zura Where are you from? Why SDSU? I’m from Redondo Beach.

I don’t know, I stepped on campus and I just immediately it was the one I wanted to go to.

Aashi Jain, Business Administration and Information Systems Which dorm?

Zura Where are you from? Why SDSU? Irvine. I came to SDSU because I got into a good school for my major.

Thing looking forward to the most?

Getting experience and making new friends, living here.

Jackson Bullman Business management Which dorm?

Tenochca Where are you from? Why SDSU? Gig Harbor, Washington. I chose SDSU because it’s in California. The weather. And it’s a good school.

Thing looking forward to the most?

The Greek system, probably.

Courtney Beckman, Kinesiology Which dorm?

Tenochca Where are you from? Why SDSU? I’m from Dana Point. I picked SDSU because I thought it was a beautiful campus and the academics were good.

Thing looking forward to the most?

Probably just getting my education and powering through my degree, I guess.

Justin Kramer, ISCOR Which dorm?

Zura Where are you from? Why SDSU? I’m from L.A. and my parents went here and it’s close to home.

Something you’re nervous about?

Laundry, I’m not looking forward it.

ARTS & LIFESTYLE

AUG. 26 - SEPT. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: OLIVIA LITSEY • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

11

#FACULTYANDSTAFF

New professors begin semester CHRISTINE WHITMAN SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Television, film and new media professor Shelley Orr has served as a lecturer at San Diego State for the past eight years, but she begins this semester as a tenuredtrack assistant professor.

Orr graduated with a bachelor’s degree in performance studies from Northwestern before receiving a MFA in

Public affairs and administration professor Megan Welsh begins her first faculty position this fall semester.

Welsh will teach two research method courses in the master’s program of public administration.

“I decided to teach at SDSU because I’m a native Californian, and I did my dissertation research on the California prison system and I’d like to expand on that,” she said.

Welsh recently graduated with a

PROFESSOR ORR

dramaturgy from UC San Diego and a doctorate in theater.

Orr is inspired most by experimental theater that lets people see the world differently.

“I am inspired by things I don’t really know the answer too,” Orr said. “I really respond to experimental work and work that challenges an audience to see the world in a new and radical way, which is something I don’t see very often.”

PROFESSOR WELSH

doctorate from City University of New York Graduate Center and John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

She recommends current graduate students to read anything and everything, even if it’s not required by the professor.

It’s safe to say she’s thrilled to be an Aztec.

“I’m looking forward to becoming a part of this great community — it feels big, but small altogether,” she said.

CROSSWORDS

ACROSS 1 Moments, briefly 5 God with a bow 9 Like some elephants 14 Jai __ 15 “Game over,” to Kasparov 16 Forrest’s shrimp-loving friend 17 Make fun of boxing gear?

19 Lusitania sinker 20 StyleBistro and Slate 21 “Into the Woods” (2014) director Marshall 23 Schlep 24 Arles article 25 Make fun of Harleys?

27 “Gigi” novelist 30 Barcelona-born muralist

31 MouthHealthy. org org.

32 Line from the sun 34 Ristorante desserts 38 Make fun of sweater styles?

42 Came afterward 43 Roller in Vegas 44 Low digit 45 Lively dance 47 Adopt, as a cause 50 Make fun of tunes?

54 Ga. neighbor 55 Numbered musical piece 56 Colorado native 57 Human rights advocate Sakharov 60 “¿Cómo __?”

62 Make fun of Porky and Petunia?

English and comparative literature professor Jessica Pressman spent the past year as a visiting professor while starting a digital humanities initiative, but begins this semester as a tenuredtrack professor.

Pressman graduated with a doctorate from UCLA and is the author, co-author and co-editor of multiple texts.

This semester, Pressman will be teaching two classes in the English department titled 21st Century

PROFESSOR PRESSMAN

Experimental Novel and The Book in the Digital Age. Pressman believes curiosity is important and that it’s an honor and privilege to be in a place of higher education.

“I’m inspired by curiosity, openmindedness and generosity,” Pressman said. “I’m inspired by people who want to learn and who care about other people.”

Sociology professor Joseph Gibbons begins his first faculty position in California this semester.

Gibbons graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Ramapo College before earning a master’s degree and a doctorate in sociology at the University of Albany, State University of New York.

“I decided to start teaching because I love getting students enthusiastic and excited about powerful ideas,” Gibbons

PROFESSOR GIBBONS

said. “A large aspect of sociology is dealing with social inequalities and I think there’s something very powerful about discussing things that make people outraged.”

Gibbons finds motivation in curiosity and the exploration of different social issues.

“I’m really excited about the student body I’ll be getting to work with,” Gibbons said.

CLASSIFIEDS

64 Requests for Friskies, maybe 65 Half of zwei 66 Rules, to GIs 67 Proverbial reason for a break?

68 Schedule opening 69 Bone, in Rome DOWN 1 Benefit 2 16th/17th-century Eng. queen 3 Eldorados, e.g.

4 One of the Declaration of Independence’s 56 5 “Famous” cookie guy 6 Big D cager 7 “SNL” alumna Cheri 8 Patches, as a lawn

9 __ Dhabi 10 Foreign film feature 11 Discontinued Apple laptop 12 Let up 13 Archibald and Thurmond of the NBA 18 For fear that 22 “Saturday Night Fever” group 25 Raise 26 Machine gun partly named for the Czech city in which it was designed 27 Showed up 28 Take too much of, for short 29 “Doonesbury” creator 33 Pay stub abbr.

35 Insurance risk assessors 36 Ring stats 37 “Understood” 39 “Rashomon” director 40 Many a “Divergent” reader 41 “It’s all false!”

46 Petrol measures 48 Huff and puff 49 One who knows the ropes 50 Sonnets, say 51 Unexpected victory 52 Sylvan Learning employee 53 Work on, as a stubborn squeak 57 No. 2 58 Frittata ingredients 59 “That __ last week!”

61 Sacramento-toSan Jose dir.

63 365 días

Help Wanted part time Disabled man need assistance with household chores and errands. CDL required. Jr or Sr. preferred.Mon - Fri’.

9:30 to 1:30.. $12/?Hr. Call Doug at (619) 297-0554 Email dmcqdale@cox.net ________________________________

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

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Place an ad in the new and improved Daily Aztec Classifieds!

Whether it’s a one, two or three-bedroom apartment, or just a room for rent in a house, you’ll be able to find your ideal living situation on

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12 THE BACK PAGE

AUG. 26 - SEPT. 1, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: OLIVIA LITSEY • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

#SDSU

Word on the tweets Here's what some SDSU students are posting on Twitter about their first week at school:

HOROSCOPE HAPPY BIRTHDAY (8/26/15) - Personal breakthroughs highlight your year.

Fame and fortune are available. Home reinvigorates. Take charge (after 10/13) to bring in the family bacon after (10/27).

Romance and partnership bloom after 3/8. Resolve beneficial terms after 3/23 to realize a dream.

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

SCREENSHOTS COMPILED BY ANNALISE DEWHURST AND OLIVIA LITSEY

#DASNAPSHOTS

SUDOKU

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

DIFFICULTY LEVEL:

3/4

CROSSWORDS, SUDOKU, AND HOROSCOPES COURTESY OF TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC., ©2015.

GAME SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

PURPLE MOUNTAINS MAJESTY

Senior Staff Photographer Andy Farra captured the beauty of Yosemite this summer while road-tripping through California.

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

Express your concerns by emailing letters@thedailyaztec.com

ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is an 8 - Talk to an expert to get advice on a tricky job. Learn from someone disciplined. The truth may not agree with a supposition. Research, and follow instructions exactly. If you mess up, clean up and try again.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 9 - You have what you need laying around the house. Tap into lost and forgotten abundance. You've never felt more certain about something. With study and a loved one's backing, you can win. Think about it.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is an 8 - You have an awesome aptitude for learning now. Apply discipline, and solutions spark. Provide leadership. Look at the scene from a different perspective.

Study. Discover startling revelations.

Challenge authority with facts. Do the homework, and profit.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 9 - Put time and energy into networking. Dedicated communications provide extra results. Share the load with similarly committed friends. A lucky break reveals a new direction.

Map out the simplest route, and invite participation. Discover new resources.

LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 9 - Keeping your word increases your persuasive charm. Back it up with actions. Great abundance can be yours, if you work for it. Review the plan, beginning with the bottom line. Dig in, and get your hands dirty.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is an 8 - Offer to help. What comes around goes around. Work together to make a positive change. Ask your community circles to help get the word out. Speak with exuberance. Clean up messes.

Widen your circles in the process.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 7 - Do the work that nobody will see. Save money and trouble by speaking with a knowledgeable group. Let people know what you need. Accept a generous offer.

Quantify results in practical terms. Write up conclusions.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is an 8 - Discuss practical plans. Map out the steps and actions to take. Listen to the backstage story. Get a second opinion before publishing. Meet your deadlines.

Revisit a favorite place. Familiar comforts recharge your batteries.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 9 - Gain a deeper understanding by listening to all considerations. Follow a strong recommendation. Go public with recent research. Your work's paying off.

Finish up old business, despite changes or temporary confusion. Make a mess.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 9 - Comfort someone who's sad.

Reaffirm a partnership. Take charge, and grasp the practical implications.

Jump in and do dishes or prepare food.

Conversation opens new possibilities, but actions make them real. Do something good for someone.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 7 - Make an important connection through a conversation. Issue press releases and keep current with the news.

Abundance is available. Be supportive.

Travel with someone interesting.

Reaffirm a commitment. Listening is more powerful than speaking.

PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is an 8 - A change at the top opens new opportunities. Exceed expectations.

Face a difficult challenge, and expand to meet it. Familiarity comforts, but a new route thrills. Get family to help. Seek out experienced counsel.