SDSU VS TEXAS SOUTHERN PG.6
THE NEWSPAPER OF SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1913 VOLUME 99, ISSUE 53
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012
Filner sworn in as San Diego Mayor local
men’s basketball
The former U.S. congressman touched on plans for his mayorship
Aztecs spear the Tigers
Antonio Zaragoza
Ryan Schuler
Editor in Chief
Thousands of San Diegans crammed into the Balboa Park Club yesterday to see Bob Filner sworn in as San Diego’s 35th mayor by State Controller, John Chiang. Outgoing Mayor Jerry Sanders spoke to the highly energized crowd and applauded Filner on his successful election. “Today begins a new chapter in San Diego and I’m happy for the new beginning. In fact, I believe the two happiest days in a mayor’s life are the day he takes office and the day he leaves,” Sanders said. Filner addressed Sanders’ many contributions to the city and expressed his gratitude for being able to start his term from a positive place. “Its an awesome responsibility to lead the eighth biggest city in
Sports Editor
The Aztecs win their sixth consecutive game, defeating Texas Southern 74-62
antonio zaragoza , editor in chief
Bob Filner being sworn into office as the next San Diego Mayor by State Controller, John Chiang. The Balboa Park Club was full of San Diegans watching the ceremony as Filner accepted ahis seat as the city’s 35th mayor.
the nation. It’s very humbling; it’s very overwhelming,” Filner said. The inauguration’s focus shifted to Filner’s expectations for the upcoming term. “I can start off with not only a
balanced budget but a bond rating, and that means we can talk about moving forward,” Filner said to Sanders. The new mayor also addressed city employees and thanked them
for their valuable contributions to San Diego communities. Filner also discussed the possibilities of expanding city services. FILNER continued on page 2
Aztecs empower immigrant youth New Pres.
causes stir in Mexico
campus
David Hernandez Staff Writer
Members of the Youth Empowerment Program at San Diego State will begin to work as mentors for undocumented children that migrated to the U.S. unaccompanied. Each year, children, mostly from Mexico and Central America, travel to the U.S. without a parent or a guardian. In October 2011 through April, the U.S. Border Patrol apprehended 13,416 unaccompanied minors. “They’re crossing two different borders at times, so they’re faced with a number of traumatic events to get to the U.S.,” SDSU social work graduate student and co-founder of Y.E.P. Leticia Rodriguez said. “Once they are here, they’re deemed undocumented, so that comes with a host of issues.” Within 72 hours of being appre-
Even if it’s a little sense of hope ... that’s what we want. Leticia Rodgriguez Co-founder of Y.E.P.
hended and processed by the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement places the youth in shelters while their legal
international
The San Diego State men’s basketball team came into Monday’s game against Texas Southern University full of confidence. And why not? After defeating the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles in back-to-back games to proclaim itself the top team in the Golden State, SDSU rose to No. 17 in the Associated Press Top 25 and No. 15 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. Behind junior guard Jamaal Franklin’s 18 points and 15 rebounds, SDSU defeated Texas Southern 74-62 to move to 6-1 on the season. From the initial tip, the Aztecs dominated the game, starting with a 9-0 run fueled by senior MEN’S BASKETBALL continued on page 6
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM PG. 3
Ana Ceballos Assistant News Editor
courtesy elizabeth kennedy
Students draw pictures at a Southwest Keys shelter. SDSU students started the Youth Empowerment Program this semester to mentor undocumented children who live in shelters.
cases are processed. Y.E.P. was founded this semester by Rodriguez and SDSU geography doctorate student Elizabeth Kennedy. Its members will work with two local Southwest Key Program immigrant youth shelters. Through its Unaccompanied Minors Shelter Programs, Southwest Key provides counseling, legal and medical services, and an on-site school for children while their legal cases are resolved, according to Southwest Key’s website. The members of Y.E.P., who will meet with the youth once a week, will produce a monthly newsletter and a resource list for the main cities where children are often placed. The list of resources includes information about food banks, community housing, public libraries, free community clinics, community colleges and transportation, Kennedy said.
The group will also execute an eight-week curriculum meant to complement the on-site education the children receive. The lesson plans will focus on future career and educational goals. “Through the different lesson plans and activities, we are attempting to empower the youth,” Rodriguez said. “Even if it’s a little sense of hope that they are able to be successful in this country or wherever it may be, that’s what we want.” The intended length of stay for children at the shelters is 45 days, while legal decisions are made for children to be reunified with family in the U.S. or their country of origin. It is also possible for a child to be placed in foster care or to “age out” at 18. Rodriguez says it may be difficult to build intimate relationships with the children because of Y.E.P. continued on page 2
As Mexico’s new president, Enrique Peña Nieto, took an oath to restore peace and security to the people of Mexico, thousands of demonstrators presented themselves during the inauguration to oppose the return of the Institutional Revolutionary Party after a 12-year hiatus. According to the Associated Press, during the inauguration last Saturday approximately 100 protestors were injured in clashes against police officers and 103 protestors were detained, including 11 minors. According to CNN México, more than 5,000 officers patrolled the premises during the inauguration as hundreds of demonstrators banged against the steel security barriers around the lower base of Congress. “I fear that our country is slowly becoming grimmer and grimmer thanks to its government,” Andrea, a student and Tijuana resident said without disclosing her last name in fear of retaliation from the government. “The corruption within PRI is not only disgusting, but it is dangerous for (Mexico’s) citizens.” The protests, which began in July amid the results of the presidential elections, were triggered by his challenger, Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s belief that Peña Nieto bought votes and arranged favorable coverMEXICO continued on page 2
WALKING DEAD VIDEO GAME REVIEW PG. 7