Budget rally steals spotlight
TUESDAY December 6, 2011 Volume 97, Issue 54 W W W.T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M
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OPINION
San Diego’s college campus preacher stirs students into heated arguments on a regular basis, but yesterday’s demonstration made an unexpected turn. | ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR
Students shift focus from preacher to occupy and budget Jennifer Bowman web reporter &
Bill Crotty news editor What began as a heated debate between the infamous “street preacher” and a crowd of more than 100 students near the San Diego State Info Dome turned a protest against budget cuts. The preacher, Neal Konitshek, with his “Go to hell or repent” sign, drew attention around noon yesterday, a sighting that occurs several times per semester at SDSU and other San Diego colleges. Konitshek, despite the obvi-
ous hateful messages he preaches, said he is doing God’s work. While Konitshek argued with students, Sean A.., who graduated from SDSU last semester, decided that he had a golden opportunity to intervene and distract students. He stood in front of Konitshek and distribute Occupy Wall Street pamphlets to the crowd, to which Konitshek replied, “Yeah, occupy your mother.” Sean said he has seen Konitshek on campus numerous times before but never felt there was an appropriate time to stand up to him. “I have always wanted to say something to respond to him, but never thought it was the right moment,” he said. “There is a mass of people surrounding him and right now people are giving him this power. We can combat this discussion with what is happening right now.” Then, a chant of “Hey hey, ho ho, hate speech has got to go” started, led in part by Sean, before part of the
crowd was again distracted by another student looking to divert attention to another topic. Crystal Smith, an SDSU student, arrived with a megaphone to inform the crowd of an anti-budget cuts rally that was forming in front of Hepner Hall. She stressed there were several organizations involved with the budget cuts rally yesterday. “We‘re all very passionate about the budget cuts,” Smith said, urging students to pay attention to issues that are affecting students, and not the hatemongering displayed by Konitshek. Participants of the rally later marched back to East Commons holding a sign that read, “SDSU vs. Budget Cuts,” creating two crowds between the Love Library and East Commons, with two police officers from the SDSU Police Department standing between them. A bystander at the rally said it was put on by Fostering Activism for Community Transformation, an on-
campus organization formed this semester. Protesters passed around a petition that they plan to send to SDSU President Elliot Hirshman and the California State University Board of Trustees, according to a participant. “Would you like to see a stop to the fee increases and budget cuts?” the petition read. “How would you feel if you got cut?” One student asked Konitshek if he had a college degree. “Of course not,” he replied, and also said he did not get out of high school, but that he spent time surfing. “This is where the 7.8 percent that comes out of our paychecks for social security goes to,” someone in the crowd said. “To this guy.” Konitshek remained in front of the library’s dome after the budget cut protesters left. “Will you just leave?” one bystander asked Konitshek. But he did not respond.
Student Disability Services respond Stephanie Saccente staff writer
ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR
In an effort to assist students with disabilities and ensure their needs are met, San Diego State’s Student Disability Services and Physical Plant stress their determination to work with students on a case-by-case basis. Director of Student Disability Services Mary Shojai expressed her remorse for not being able to assist Angela Van Ostran, who experienced difficulties with the Storm Hall elevator. Shojai was unaware until recently of the problems. “Personally, I am disappointed that Student Disability Services has not had the opportunity to assist this student,” Shojai said. “We are here to help and if we had known about the situation we could have advocated on the student’s behalf – both with Physical Plant and with the student’s professor. However, we know that students also have the right to advocate on their own behalf and I respect the student’s right to do that as well.”
According to a representative from Physical Plant, all elevators on campus are inspected by the Division of Occupational Health and Safety every year, and also by Physical Plant once every month. A general inspection consists of door operability tests, lubrications, adjustments and riding the elevator to ensure safe stops at all landings. John Ferris, director of Physical Plant, stressed his concern for the safety of all students on campus. “SDSU Physical Plant is dedicated to serving all students safely and professionally. The safety and reliable operation of our campus elevators is a very high priority,” Ferris said. “This concern is evidenced by our service contract, state inspections and weekly conversations with the service vendor as to the current state of the elevators.” If a student encounters a problem with an elevator on campus, he or she should contact the Work Control Center, a division of Physical Plant. The call will generate a work order that will be acted upon immediately.
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“A man came in — dressed in a gray sweatshirt and filthy denim. He held a knife, I think, it was something sharp and I remember how the kitchen lights flashed off it ... I think I screamed. If not, I’m not sure how Tulsa knew I was afraid for my life.” B A C K PA G E
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