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Chico State’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1975
VOLUME 69 ISSUE 7
FIRST COPY FREE
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 10, 2012
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FEATURE FOCUS
Cop survey finds UPD morale low Marisela Pulido STAFF WRITER
Of the 22 university police chiefs statewide, University Police Chief Robyn Hearne ranks No. 20 on a leadership survey conducted by the Statewide University Police Association. The University Police department scored a 2.2 out of 5, said Jeff Solomon, president of SUPA, a university police union. SUPA determines scores by asking university police officers to critique their managers anonymously. Some comments in the survey stated that Hearne “leads through fear and intimidation” and that she once called herself “dangerous” in a meeting. Other comments also said that Hearne is “unapproachable” and that some officers are hesitant to speak to her, according to the survey. “Morale is beyond low due to lack of trust,” Solomon said. “Staffing levels, equipment and leadership are all factors in constructing a wellmanaged university police system.” SUPA released the ranking Sept. 27 and will disclose the results of the survey if morale does not improve and ask University Police officers to hold a vote of no confidence, Solomon said. Hearne said she is doing a good job as >> please see HEARNE | A5
Champs practice string theory in yo-yo competition THE ORION •PHOTOGRAPH BY KEVIN LEE
BY A STRING Yoshi Mikamoto jumps to his feet after executing a forward somersault while slinging his yo-yos. Mikamoto took fourth place in the 2A division at the National Yo-yo Contest Saturday. Turn to B5 to read which string-slingers dominated the field.
UC Riverside chancellor chosen to lead CSU system MORE ON Timothy White The new chancellor has: Attended schools in California’s community college, CSU and UC systems
After current Chancellor Charles Reed announced his retirement in May, the CSU system began a search for a new leader that ended with the hiring of Timothy White on Oct. 4. Aubrey Crosby
Co-authored 46 peer-reviewed research manuscripts, most of them on muscular activity
STAFF WRITER
Appeared on an episode of “Undercover Boss” SOURCE • CALSTATE.EDU
The California State University will get new leadership in December with the hiring of a new chancellor. Timothy White will head the system and its nearly 427,000 students, according to a press release from the CSU. White’s experience includes work as
president at the University of Idaho and as a dean and temporary president for Oregon State University. White has been UC Riverside’s chancellor since 2008. “Tim White’s background and experience reflect the institutional values and mission of the CSU,” said Bob Linscheid, the chair of the CSU board of trustees. “His demonstrated leadership and commitment to student success are the right combination for the university’s future.” It is a good sign to see someone who has experience in higher education in the position, said Vince Ornelas, the president of the Chico State chapter of the California Faculty Association.
Chico pump prices peak Sunday, slow to decrease back online soon after scheduled maintenance. STAFF WRITER The Chevron refinery in Richmond, Chico gas prices jumped to the the largest in the state, produces highest they’ve been since 2008 on 240,000 barrels of oil a day but has been offline since Aug. Sunday. MORE ON 6 due to a fire, LaskoProblems with CaliGas prices ski said. fornia pipelines have On Tuesday, the state“The huge reduccaused a rise in gas wide average gas tion in supply has prices across the state price decreased by about caused gas prices to and in Chico, where a cent from the previous increase,” he said. the average increased day, from $4.67 to $4.66. The Chevron refinfrom $4.11 a gallon Oct. ery is set to get 1 to $4.54 a gallon just Three gas stations were tied for offering the running again within a week later, according lowest gas price in Chico a few months, he said. to GasBuddy.com. at $4.39 Monday. California could Three of the 13 refin-Arco on Ninth and not borrow oil from eries in California Main streets other states because experienced issues -Costco on Dr. Martin other refineries do not last week, and another Luther King Jr. Parkway include clean-burning has been offline since -Arco on the Esplafuel additives, LaskoAugust, contributnade and East Avenue ski said. ing to higher prices at Ann Howells, the the pump, said Gregg parent of a Chico State Laskoski, GasBuddy student, drove up to Chico from San senior petroleum analyst. The Exxon Mobil refinery in Tor- Diego this weekend to see her daughrance, which produces 150,000 barrels ter despite the increase in gas prices. “It’s worth it to come see her,” Howof oil a day, had a pipeline shutdown last week due to power problems, ells said. Laskoski said. The refinery is back online, and two others in Arroyo Allison Weeks can be reached at Grande and Rodeo are set to come aweeks@theorion.com
The new chancellor will replace Charles Reed as head of the California State University system in December.
Report says university policy endangers First Amendment liberties
Allison Weeks
INDEX
TIMOTHY WHITE
“His firsthand experience will serve him well, because his profile mirrors that of many other CSU students,” Ornelas said. “He does not come from wealth, and that will help him understand the role that the CSU needs to play in education.” While the hiring process was performed by a closed committee, Susan Green, treasurer for the CFA, thinks White was a good choice. “I have faith in the Chico >> please see WHITE | A5
Pedro Quintana STAFF WRITER
THE ORION •PHOTOGRAPH BY RILEY MUNDIA
EVERY CENT COUNTS Junior psychology major Justin Matthews fuels up his car Tuesday, after Chico gas prices spiked to the most expensive they’ve been since 2008. As of Monday, the cheapest price in town was $4.39 a gallon.
The American Council of Trustees and Alumni criticized Chico State’s student conduct policies in a report released in June, claiming that the university restricts free speech. The report also pointed out a funding decrease in Chico State’s instructional budget over five years and an increase in funding to administration during that time. The report, titled “Best Laid Plans: the unfulfi lled promise of public higher education in California,” examines colleges and universities throughout California and rates them on the quality of courses offered, the climate of free speech on each campus and how money is spent. The organization looked at speech codes in student handbooks, codes of conduct and residence life guidelines, said Azhar Majeed, associate director of legal and public advocacy for the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. “We are looking at these policies, whether they comply with the school’s obligation to respect students’ First Amendment and free speech rights,” he said in an email interview. >> please see COSTS | A4
INSIDE
World News
A2
Sports
B1
TODAY
Weather
A2
Directory
B3
Police Blotter
A4
Features
B5
Opinion
A7
Sex Column
B6
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Sports
high low
Some members of the women’s golf team use hypnosis to gear up for tournaments. Story B2
Features Find a recipe for bacon cheddar poppers in the food column. Story B7
full week A2 >>
THE ORION • XXXXXXXXXX
PHOTO TITLE When filling this area with text, please don’t just erase everything and begin typing.
Opinion When people say ‘I love you’ too casually, things get awkward. Column A7