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Visit theorion.com for a video interview with the founder and president of ChicoBag, Andy Keller. VOLUME 67 ISSUE 1
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 24, 2011
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Stabbing suspect surrenders currently in custody at Butte County Jail. “He was out of the area,” Sgt. Scott Franssen said. “We believe that he did spend some time in the Modesto area.” Aguilar faces a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon, according to court records. The charge carries a possible four-year prison sentence, a $10,000 fine and a possible “strike” on the record. “I’m just going to see what the justice system does,” Igbineweka said in a phone interview. “Overall, I’m just over it.” Igbineweka was stabbed several times April 18,
Kenny Lindberg NE WS EDITOR
Jen Moreno STAFF WRITER
Students interested in joining Chico State’s student owned and operated KCSC radio team are welcome to attend its first meeting of the semester at 7 p.m. Thursday in Langdon Engineering Center Room 302.
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A suspect in the stabbing of a former Associated Students president was arrested after turning himself in to Chico police Saturday. The suspect, Jorge Ceja Aguilar, 20, of Chico is accused of stabbing Joseph Igbineweka in April 2010, police said. He turned himself in at 10:11 p.m. Saturday after being on the run since police initially named him a suspect in January. He is
2010 while walking home from a friend’s house. He endured months of physical therapy after two surgeries and lost significant use of his left hand as a result of the attack. “Sometimes I wake up and just look at the scars on my neck,” JORGE AGUILAR Igbineweka said. “We need to get people like that off the streets.” In December, police announced that they had linked Aguilar’s DNA with that of the knife used >> please see STABBING | A7
Source: KCSC Radio
Tuition soars 23 percent, spring hikes also possible
Chico State’s Division of Business and Finance released a sustainability report highlighting the school’s “green” practices Friday. The report detailed the school’s use of sustainable energy and energy saving practices such as solar panels and energy saving lighting projects around campus. The university stands by its commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and reach climate neutrality by 2030, according to the report. The report can be read online at the Chico State website.
Kenny Lindberg NE WS EDITOR
Source: Chico State 2011 Sustainability Report
ARTS
Legends of Chico:
Check out the first ever Chico Music Legends Festival from this past weekend. Story C1 THE ORION • AARON DRAPER
Chico State is hosting a pair of artists this week. Garrison Keillor, known for his radio show A Prairie Home Companion, will showcase his skills at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, while Willie K, a guitarist known for his “repertoire as diverse as his beloved Hawaii,” is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Both artists can be seen at Laxson Auditorium. Tickets are available at the Chico Performances website. Source: Chico Performances
Faculty will get a chance to watch the first part of a twopart webinar, or Web-based seminar, series aimed at maximizing online teaching strategies in a quickly changing environment. The series, hosted by the Center for Regional and Continuing Education, will be held between 11 a.m. and noon Thursday. It is free and does not require registration. For more information, see the Center for Regional and Continuing Education website. Source: Campus Calendar
Man faces felony charge in death of sophomore, DUI suspected Andre Byik A SST. NE WS EDITOR
A Chico State student died Aug. 13 in Carmel Valley after being ejected from a vehicle in an accident where the driver was suspected of drunken driving. The student, Keenan Lucero, 19, was pronounced dead at the scene, KEENAN LUCERO California Sophomore killed Highway in car accident Patrol Offi- Aug. 13. DUI cer Joel suspected. Mitchell said. Lucero was a freshman last year and intended to major in construction management, according to a statement from Chico State. The driver of the vehicle, Ryan Armstrong, 18, suffered minor injuries and has been charged with felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter, Mitchell said. Armstrong drifted off Tassajara Road for an unknown reason, struck the side of a >> please see LUCERO | A7
INDEX >>
THE ORION • SARAH MANN
WRECKING HAVOC Chico State students and community members flooded the Wildcat Recreation Center Friday as Chico businesses tried to attract them into their respective booths. Organizers said more than 8,000 people attended the event.
Steady swarm of students enjoy Wrectacular’s summer showcase
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Sam Kelly STAFF WRITER
I’ve never been to a town where everyone just walks up and says ‘hi.’
Building on the success of last year’s event, Chico State opened up the doors of the Wildcat Recreation Center to local businesses, students, alumni, locals and anyone interested in seeing what the college is all about at Wrectacular 2011. The grill smoke of Kinder’s Meat and Deli and Smoking Mo’s Barbecue booths rose high into the sky and could be seen and smelled walking up to the WREC on Friday. There
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BRITTNEY WARR Undeclared Freshman
was a steady flow of people from all directions. “I’ve never been to a town where everyone just walks up and says ‘hi,’” said Brittney Warr, an undeclared freshman from Antelope. On the front lawn, along with the meat vendors and blasting music from Power 102 radio station, were booths such as Monster Energy and Adventure Outings, which came complete with a rock-climbing wall and dunk tank. “It’s a great way to kick off the year,” WREC Assistant >> please see WREC | A7
Another bill is probably the last thing most students want to think about. But by Oct. 4, full-time undergraduates will have to pay an additional $294 in response to a 12 percent tuition hike approved over the summer. The hike is in addition to the already approved 10 percent tuition increase approved last semester, meaning that full-time undergraduates now pay $500 more in tuition fees than in Spring 2011. “We’re at a point now where the pain is severe,” said Chico State President Paul Zingg. “And you’re basically denying access, and you’re eroding quality and sooner or later someone’s got to say, ‘We can’t do this anymore.’” Zingg also warned students that the California State University board of trustees might implement an additional tuition hike in spring if the state cuts an additional $100 million from the CSU budget. “We’re waiting to see what happens with the state tax revenues because the governor has made it very clear that if those revenues do not come in at a certain level, he’s going to reduce our budget again,” Zingg said. If the $100 million reduction is implemented, state funding to the CSU system will be at its lowest since the 1997-1998 fiscal year, according to a July press release. But even with less money, the CSU system can do more by first ridding itself of abusive spending, Chico State professor Michael Coyle said. “At the same meeting that the CSU board of trustees gave students a tuition hike, they rewarded a president of a university by $100,000 salary increase per year,” Coyle said. “I mean, that’s beyond outrageous. There are really no words to describe that.” Coyle was referring to the board’s decision to give a 25 percent salary increase to Elliot Hirshman, the newly appointed president of San Diego State. Tuition has now more than doubled in the past six years, according to data from the California State University website. “Now that we’ve come up, we’re never going down, but >> please see TUITION | A7
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A decoy sting in Sonoma County caught four wineries serving alcohol to minors last weekend. Two 18-year-olds who work with the Sonoma Police Department visited 10 wineries during the fourhour sting on Saturday. They were served alcohol at four of the wineries. Valley of the Moon Winery, B.R. Cohn Winery, Imagery Estate Winery and Schug Carneros Estate Winery were cited for serving alcohol to minors. The wineries will be referred to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The sting occurred due to a $25,000 grant given to the Sonoma Police Department to reduce underage drinking. Source: contracostatimes.com
A Sacramento couple was arrested Saturday on suspicion of forcing girls into prostitution, police said. Officers went to a south San Francisco hotel on a tip that a runaway girl had been spotted nearby. They found a 19-year-old and two juvenile girls in a room at the hotel that was registered to Mahendar Singh, 40, who was found in another room, police said. All three girls said they were forced into prostitution, and police found evidence of prostitution in both hotel rooms. The three girls were released to their parents. Source: ktvu.com
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Iran – Two American hikers have been sentenced to eight years in Iranian prison after being arrested for straying across an unmarked crossing of the Iran and Iraq border on July 31, 2009. The eight-year sentence combines two charges: three years in prison for illegal entry into the Islamic Republic of Iran and five years in prison on charges of espionage for the American intelligence agency. The two jailed men, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, claimed they were hiking in Kurdistan, located in Iraq’s northern province, when they mistakenly wandered into Iran. The U.S. is in contact with the Swiss protecting power to learn more of the situation. U.S. officials are distressed because they have no access to the prisoners and cannot determine their state of physical and mental health or the conditions they are being kept in. Source: Al Jazeera
United Kingdom – Prison service chiefs have warned of the consequences of overcrowded jails in England and Wales as the influx of hundreds of rioters has pushed prison populations through the 86,000 mark – a record level. The U.K has experienced about two weeks of rioting. A three-person assault, sending two to the hospital, has spurred worries that existing inmates will harm previously unconvicted riot defendants who are not experienced with the gang culture of some jails. Governors were reminded to follow through with standard reception procedures and not allow the public disorder to spread to a potentially volatile population mingling in their respective prisons. Source: The Guardian
Tripoli, Libya – Widely varied accounts of the fighting in the capital emerged from rebel officials and the Libyan government as the fighting immersed Tripoli into the conflict that has been embroiling the country over the past several months. The Libyan government claimed the rebels were losing every battle while CNN reported that witnesses and rebel officials noted that government officials were losing ground and engaging in new battles in the capital. Musa Ibrahim, a government spokesman, asserted the capital remains under government control and government forces had put down fighters “within half an hour” while the crackle of gunfire could still be heard around the capital. Source:CNN
Israel – Seven are dead and 30 wounded in at least four separate attacks on Israeli targets launched from a along the Egyptian border in the “poorly policed” Sinai Desert. The attacks occurred just north of Eilat, a popular tourist town. The desert peninsula of Sinai has historically served as a buffer zone between Egypt and Israel since the peace accord signed in 1979. Fears of lawlessness have prompted Israel to approve Egypt’s request to deploy more troops to the area. A concerned Israel seeks to accelerate construction of a fence along the largely unfenced border and also elected to attack the Gaza Strip with warplanes believing the Palestinians may have been involved in the attacks. The attacks amount to serious economic trouble for Egypt’s tourism industry — which has suffered since the revolution in February. Source: The Daily Beast
Somalia – Turmoil continues as this summer’s famine has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Somalis and has left nearly half a million children on the brink of starvation. Al-Shabab, an al-Qaida affiliated militant Islamist group in Africa, has received the brunt of blame for the suffering as it blocked many international relief groups from delivering food. By mid-August the United Nations confirmed that an epidemic of cholera was ravaging across the country resulting in hundreds of thousands of Somalis fleeing to Kenya, Ethiopia and camps in Mogadishu. The U.N. World Food Program is also investigating reports of outright theft of food aid, which is then being sold for profit on the open market before it can reach the suffering Somalis it is intended for. Source: New York Times
Ruddell brings Chico perspective to board NEW TRUSTEE Chico State student Jillian Ruddell pledges to be an advocate for CSU students after being appointed as a student trustee by Gov. Jerry Brown.
Molly Rose Livingston STAFF WRITER
Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed Chico State student Jillian Ruddell as the student representative on the California State University board of trustees. Ruddell, 21, was appointed in July after a three-phase application process she called “very nerve wracking, but also a very exciting process.” As a student trustee Ruddell will advocate for students at all 23 CSUs. “I will absolutely have Chico State issues in mind, however I am there to represent the whole of CSU,” she said. Ruddell, a senior who is currently working toward a degree in multicultural and gender studies, will be attending the board meetings every other month in Long Beach. The board has two student trustees each year. The first year of Ruddell’s two-year term will be spent learning the ropes from the current voting student trustee, Steven Dixon. In her second year, Ruddell will become a voting member. “I’m very excited to be on the board of trustees,” she said. “I’m now able to advocate for students on a system wide level, as opposed to on one campus.” Part of her new role is to be the acting student liaison between student voice and the board of trustees. She sits in on the California State Student Association meetings each month. “Representatives from each of the 23 California State Universities come together every month to talk about different issues concerning students,” Ruddell said. By the time she becomes a voting member of the board, Ruddell will have graduated from Chico State. Her plans after graduation include “more college,” she said. She plans to further her education with a master’s degree in gender studies from San Francisco State and then possibly a doctorate’s degree. “What I want to be doing is activist work on a broad level and hopefully teaching in the college environment,” she said. “I want to be a professor.” Joe Wills, Chico State’s director of Public Affairs and Publications, has worked with Ruddell on the Conversations on Diversity program. “Jillian is an outstanding choice for the CSU board,” Wills said. “She is a great student leader and is very passionate about issues that matter to students. She is an advocate and an activist in the best sense of the word and will bring something
THE ORION • CHELSEA BEIGHTS
special to the board.” Director of Legislative Affairs Joe Banez also thinks Ruddell will be a positive addition to the board. “Her involvement and passion will be a great representation of students,” Banez said. “She will continue to advocate on behalf of all students and higher education.” Locally, Ruddell is active in many clubs and organizations. She is an advocate for human rights, as well as LGBTQ issues. Her involvement and activism efforts in Chico are spread among a variety of positions. She spent two years as the director of the Associated Students Women’s Center and is the founder of the Gender & Sexuality Equity Center that opened this semester. She is the co-president of the PRIDE/Safezone
club and co-founder of the Chico State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Leadership Conference. She serves as a committee member for the Conversations on Diversity program and is on the board of directors for the Stonewall Alliance Center. “Essentially I am focusing on all student needs throughout the CSU system, but the fact that I’ve come from Chico defi nitely gives me a special perspective on a variety of issues, such as sustainability and the importance of solidarity within a college community,” she said. Ruddell said she gladly encourages students to contact her with topics they want the board to hear. Molly Rose Livingston can be reached at mlivingston@theorion.com
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Scientists have designed a drug that increased the life span of obese mice. The drug, SRT1720, has been found to reduce the amount of fat on the liver and increase sensitivity to insulin. Protecting the mice from the usual deadly effects of obesity increased their life span by 44 percent on average. A similar drug is now undergoing clinical trials on humans. Critics feel this drug will increase obesity in humans, who may then be overweight without all of the health repercussions.
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The fast food giant Burger King announced changes in its marketing strategy, including the decision to drop the chain’s King mascot. McDonald’s, Burger King’s top competition, saw a 3 percent sales increase in the first quarter while Burger King experienced a 6 percent drop. Burger King’s new marketing strategy will mimic that of McDonald’s. This means advertisements that focus on burgers and fries and not on the largeheaded king character. Burger King plans to update its stores and food in hopes of repairing its image.
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Scam uses jobs as bait POLICE
BLOTTER
All accused of violating the law are innocent until proven guilty | Information cited directly from Chico Police Department or University Police Department. University Police Friday, 12:27 p.m.: Narcotics violation was reported at University Village. “Reporting party advises daughter just moved to University Village and the roommates adjacent to her smell of marijuana.”
Chico Police Thursday, 8:07 a.m.: Transient problem reported on the 1400 block of the Esplanade. “Reporting party states transient sleeping at their front door and she is unable to get inside. She is using neighbor’s phone.”
Saturday, 2:51 p.m.: A suspicious circumstance reported in front of Butte Station. “Eight to 10 students smoking from a hookah pipe.”
Thursday, 12:16 p.m.: Indecent exposure reported at south One Mile. “Naked man in men’s restroom, south side possibly masturbating.”
Sunday, 12:32 a.m.: Suspicious circumstance reported at Ray’s Liquor. “Flagged down regarding bottles being thrown at vehicles.”
Thursday, 4:41 p.m.: Soliciting reported on the 2100 block of Bar Triangle Street. “Reporting party stating the suspect is forcefully trying to sell magazines. Suspect is also flashing a ‘medal’ that he was given by some military people ‘because he’s such a nice guy.’ Suspect claimed to have been a veteran that served in Iraq.”
Sunday, 2:25 a.m.: Medical aid reported on West Second and Cherry streets. “Chico Police Department advised rolling medics. Subject fell off second story of parking structure. Subject transported to Enloe Medical Center.”
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Subject fell off second story of parking structure. Subject transported to Enloe Medical Center.
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SATURDAY, 1:48 P.M. University Police Records
Sunday, 2:39 a.m.: Suspicious subject reported at the Performing Arts Center rooftop. “Officer flagged down and advised unknown subjects were on roof.” Monday, 12:06 a.m.: Narcotics violation was reported at B Lot near stop sign. “Several individuals getting out of red Hyundai. Subjects smell of marijuana and resident advisers are out with them.”
Thursday, 4:57 p.m.: Stolen bike reported on the 100 block of Klondike Court. “Reporting party’s bike was stolen a few days ago, just now reporting. Reporting party can see what she believes to be her bike in neighbor’s yard. Reporting party suspecting neighbor has spray-painted the bike and removed the basket. Reporting party has receipt in hand with serial.” Friday, 2:27 a.m.: Drunk in public reported on the 700 block of Nord Avenue. “Two subjects breaking things in the area and kicking vehicles. Subjects fled into Oakwood Apartments. Reporting party advising two males smashing vehicles with rocks. Security officer has two subjects on the ground.” Friday, 5:17 a.m.: Vandalism reported on the 1000 block of Chestnut Street. “Suspect threw alcohol bottles at window. Pedi-cab driver is witness who is still at scene. One of the residents was running around with a large stick. Window did not actually break, only the bottle.”
Griffin Rogers STAFF WRITER
Frauds targeted students’ Wildcat inboxes this summer in a digital mailbox bashing. Some students received an email with the subject headline, “URGENT! PART TIME JOB OFFER.” Enclosed was a letter from a fabricated person offering a job that allowed students to work from home and make $250 a week in their free time. It sounded like a summer dream job, but in reality, it was a scam. The people responsible were using an illegal scheme known as a Nigerian scam, said Information Security Manager Ed Hudson. This is different from other scams, such as phishing, because the people running the con are looking to take money directly, instead taking of information as a means of accessing victim’s money. Here’s how it works: The scammer acquires student email addresses through the campus directory or using an automated computer program that generates hundreds of email addresses. Then, a computer program likely trickles out a few hundred fake job offers every 30 minutes to avoid triggering any security systems, Hudson said. If a student takes the bait, they’ll receive instructions along with a check in the mail – in this case, students received a $2,880 check. Students are then instructed to keep about $400 and transfer the remainder to the scammer’s account, so the thief can disburse the money to other “agents” since he/she often lives in a foreign country, Hudson said. The scammer hopes students will transfer the money before they try cashing their $2,880 check, which will bounce. A mass email was sent to warn students of the scam on Aug. 4, after the Career Planning and Placement Office received calls about a job offer that didn’t exist, Director James Starmer said. “The promise that you’re gong to make a whole bunch of money clouds people’s perception,” Starmer said. “And that’s what these people hope for.” The Aftermath: Once they realized something strange was happening, the Career Center notified Hudson at the Information Security Office. The system was immediately checked for breaches, but none were found. Then the school sent out emails to help any students trapped in the scam. However, no Chico State students have reported fi nancial losses as of Friday, Hudson
HOW TO AVOID EMAIL SCAMS
Stay away from emails that ask for personal information such as credit card or social security numbers. Check for bad spelling or grammar. Scammers are often from non-English speaking countries. Stay clear of “urgent” messages that rush people into making bad decisions. Be skeptical of offers conducted solely through email. Online communication is the easiest way for scammers to hide their identity. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
said. Of the 10 or so students who reported to the school about seeing the fake email, only a few were actually involved. A couple students were even contacted by the scammers over the phone when they hadn’t transferred the money. Police departments were notified in the areas where students received the emails, but the criminal, or criminals, responsible are still at large. Nevertheless, Hudson did fi nd a few clues. He found that the counterfeit checks were being sent from a FedEx in Amarillo, Texas. He also discovered that the address linked to the scammer’s bank account was actually a vacant lot located in a small town in north Texas. Still, the likelihood of the swindler getting caught is small, Hudson said. This is because the scam keeps spreading. For example, tracing a fake check back to its sender could mean fi nding the last victim who was simply following orders to send it to the next victim. Many times, the “agents” in the description are actually other people about to be scammed. “One of the reasons they are so prevalent is that they’re so easy to get away with,” Hudson said. At first it was thought that incoming freshmen were the only target, but Hudson later confirmed that the fake job offer was being sent at random. Ryan Clark, a freshman statistics major, received the fraudulent email over summer, but disregarded it as spam. “It seemed to good to be true,” Clark said. In order to keep clear of scams, Clark said he only follows up on emails from friends and companies he can trust. Griffin Rogers can be reached at grogers@theorion.com
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WEDNESDAY, AUG. 24, 2011 |
Topless protest exposes inequality Jen Moreno STAFF WRITER
Breasts of every size, shape, color and even age were exposed in City Plaza Sunday, not to promote sexuality, but to promote equality. It was National “Go Topless” Day and friends Meagan Fischer and Rain Scher gathered among others at 2 p.m. to celebrate and encourage support for fellow women and men who opted to remove their garments in honor of the day. “We want to help create a culture where women’s bodies and all of our bodies can be celebrated and respected,” said Fischer, a 21-year-old Chico State student. Contrary to popular belief, a topless woman does not constitute indecent exposure. According to California penal code 314.1, indecent exposure, a misdemeanor, is defined as exposing ones genitals in order to draw attention for the purpose of sexual arousal and/or gratification. A police officer arrived shortly after the event started to ensure that none of this was happening. He left after just a few minutes stating that the event would not be shut down as nothing illegal was going on. “Our point here is to normalize and make people aware of the fact that it’s not illegal,” Scher said. “They can make that choice to take their shirt off in public if they want to.” Also sharing information about the legality of the issue was supporter Brian Kraemer, 47.
THE ORION • CHELSEA BEIGHTS
EXPOSING THE TRUTH Rain Scher, 24, promotes awareness that toplessness is not indecent exposure on National “Go Topless” Day Sunday. Familiar with the lack of anti-nudity laws in Chico, Kraemer brought and distributed fliers to spectators and passers-by including his personal email address should any legal
issues arise. “To me the issue isn’t even so much the freedom to be nude,” Kraemer said. “The issue is the freedom to not have other people mandate that you hide, because that’s really what’s going on. People are forcing other people to hide their bodies, and that’s just crazy.” But not everyone at the plaza was as supportive of the nudity. Crystal Walker, a fifth-year arts education major, heard about the event on Facebook through A.S. Pride, the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender alliance club, as a sort of feminist act. Walker, who lives around the corner from the event, went to see for herself if it was real or just some prank. “I’ve never seen public nudity so I thought I’d stop by,” Walker said. “I feel like it’s OK to do it in your home, but I’m not sure about in a public arena with children around.” Whether or not those in the crowd of about 30 were for or against the public display, everyone was included, with participators sharing beverages and snacks with attendees. “It’s not for just today,” Scher said. “Today is just the national day to celebrate altogether across the country, but our point is to normalize it, to make it an everyday thing where it’s not a big deal ever anymore.”
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Rider suffers injuries after accident on Highway 32 Andre Byik ASST. NE WS EDITOR
A single-rider motorcycle accident had Chico police blocking off East Ninth and Flume streets around 7 p.m. Saturday. The rider suffered “major road rash” on his arms and legs, said Cathy McDonnell, a junior liberal studies major. McDonnell initially heard an engine revving from a distance and then sounds like “plastic scraping the ground,” she said. Chico police are investigating about three blocks of skid marks left by the rider, and initial thoughts were that the rider may have attempted to pop his motorcycle up to ride on its back wheel, Chico police Sgt. Ted McKinnon said. “Medical people got right on top of him,” he said. The rider was taken to Enloe Medical Center with his helmet still on for further examination, he said.
Jen Moreno can be reached at
Andre Byik can be reached at
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abyik@theorion.com
Zingg criticizes ‘privatization’ of public higher education
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We are now on the edge of where much of the country has gone.
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PAUL ZINGG President
Andre Byik ASST. NE WS EDITOR
In the face of steep budget cuts and rising tuition, President Paul Zingg had an evolutionary idea — adapt. “It’s another year, but we’re still talking about the triplewhammy of declining state support and rising student fees and a roller coaster ride for enrollments,” Zingg said Thursday to hundreds gathered in Laxson Auditorium for the annual president’s convocation. In July, there was a 12 percent hike in tuition, which had already been increased 10 percent in spring 2011.
Full-time undergraduates will pay $3,445 this semester. “In other words, over the course of these years, what was once the most distinctive element of the master plan — namely public investment in higher education as a cornerstone for access, opportunity, affordability and the state’s future — has disappeared,” Zingg said. “Where we are now is no longer a place of distinction, or leadership or envy.” Zingg criticized student fees that exceed state support as the “privatization” of the CSU. “We were once in the vanguard of where much of the
country aspired to go,” he said. “A robust commitment to public higher education as a foundation for economic growth and competitiveness, for social justice and wellbeing. We are now on the edge of where much of the country has gone.” Zingg’s way forward through the foreseeable climate of budget cuts and rising fees is “dependent on two things which we can control,” he said. “Attitude and effort.” On a large screen behind him, Zingg outlined four interrelated actions that are “expressions” of attitude and effort: an accurate assessment
of the school’s strengths, sustaining those strengths, awareness of the forces changing higher education and “the careful adaption of those forces and changes to our use and our strengths,” he said. In attendance was Up ’til Dawn Director Regan FitzPatrick, who watched her adviser, Larry Bassow, receive recognition from Zingg for his work for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. FitzPatrick said she liked Zingg’s “determination to keep public education going.” But FitzPatrick, whose single mom is losing her job, has enrolled in 25 units this
semester so she can graduate before her ability to pay for tuition is lost, she said. Tuition has “pretty much doubled since I’ve been here,” she said. Zingg’s speech was empowering in the midst of a difficult budget situation, said Daniel Lund, a junior mechatronic engineering major. The CSU’s lowered state support has helped Lund become more diligent in his planning for the future, but he also appreciated Zingg’s “sincere passion” for the future of the school, he said. Andre Byik can be reached at abyik@theorion.com
A6 |
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 24, 2011
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NEWS
30
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So, you missed the game-winning shot because you were running away from Willie the Wildcat. Read the game reports and more from Chico State Athletics in the Sports section of The Orion every Wednesday this semester. #TheOrion
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NEWS
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 24, 2011 |
A7
STABBING: DNA links knife to suspect, police announce
HAMMER DOWN Construction on the new parking structure at West Second Street and Normal Avenue started six months early and is estimated to be completed September 2012.
continued from A1
in the attack. Police initially believed the attack to be a hate crime and named Barry Sayavong as their suspect — a move they later stepped away from. After initial reports came in that said Aguilar might have fled to Mexico, Kate Knutsen, A.S. vice president of Facilities and Services, never thought they would hear from him again. “I think we were all really shocked and really sad that this happened in the fi rst place,” Knutsen said. “I’m really shocked at the person that turned himself in. I don’t want to say it’s admirable, but it kind of is.” Igbineweka, who now works in San Francisco, said that he’s just tried to put the entire ordeal behind him. “The biggest fact is the fact that I’m alive,” he said. “And my only hope is that it doesn’t happen to someone else.” Kenny Lindberg can be reached at newseditor@theorion.com Jen Moreno can be reached at jmoreno@theorion.com
THE ORION • MICHELLE REINMUTH
Breaking down construction projects at Chico State Griffin Rogers STAFF WRITER
Students may hear the roar of tractors and the pounding of nails echoing across the street the next two semesters, but they are safe from construction on campus — at least for now. Changes will be seen around campus this semester as construction of a new parking garage continues in addition to improvements on the First Street Promenade. These efforts are the beginning of a series of projects dedicated to modernizing and reshaping parts of the university over the next few years, said Joe Wills, director of Public Affairs and Publications. The latest improvement came to the Trinity Commons area, where BCM Construction worked on a $1.4 million contract to install new underground utilities such as sewer lines and steam lines, said Lori Hoffman, vice president of Business and Finance, in an email interview. Wills said the next phase of the project will be the creation a new arts and humanities building in place of Taylor Hall. It will begin after the Normal Avenue parking structure is complete, allowing University Police to move its headquarters to the garage. “The arts and humanities building will make a big contribution to campus,” Wills said. Construction of the building is expected to begin in 2013, he said. Eventually, refurbishments on West First Street will continue to Normal Avenue, Wills said. The city is planning the construction of a roundabout where West First and Salem streets meet. The new parking structure on West Second Street and Normal Avenue began construction a few weeks ago and six months ahead of schedule. The university saw the benefits
of starting early and disrupting only one “There is no bond funding or money from the academic year instead of two, Wills said. Its state in the project.” estimated completion is September 2012. All projects are running on, or ahead of, The Normal Avenue parking structure is schedule. There was only a brief setback to the answer to the university’s long-time goal the First Street project in the Trinity Comof adding hundreds of parking spaces to mons area over the summer. Chico State. The school ranks “When Chico experienced the lowest in terms of parking the unprecedented late June MORE ON CONSTRUCTION spaces per student of all 23 storm, the project lost over a California State Universities, week of construction work,” Wills said. A large statue dedicated to Ken Mor- Hoffman said. “We had a The structure will add row, professor of arts, was removed 15-foot deep pool of water for 359 parking spaces and fea- on campus earlier this summer. several days.” ture other amenities such as Regardless, construction charging stations for electric The steel statue bearing Chico on West First Street was done State’s logo on the corner of cars. in time to lift its fences before Meanwhile, Chico State West First and Salem streets was students returned. removed in June so the city could has leased a parking lot on Campus accessibility was begin construction of a roundabout West Sacramento Avenue to that was originally planned for the a university project this summake up for the loss of park- beginning of summer, said Alan mer dedicated to making ing spaces currently under Rellaford, creative services directravel between buildings easconstruction, which has tem- tor for University Advancement. ier for everyone. porarily increased the overall Accessibility around campus number of spaces for the fall In order to find a new home for is a continuous effort to ensure the monument, the Public Arts 2011 semester. safe travel for students, faculty Many of the new reno- Committee got together and and visitors across campus, vations across campus, decided the statue would be said Sandy Parsons-Ellis, a perfect fit in Alumni Glen. including the West First director of the Accessibility Street and parking structure “It’s not just moved here, but it Resource Center. projects, have been in the becomes a more significant piece,” “Our campus is really prouniversity’s master plan since Rellaford said. “It’s at home here.” active in making things right 2005 and lead as far back as Morrow was killed in a in terms of accessibility,” she the completion of the Student car crash in 1985. said. Services Center in 2008. All construction on campus Existing funds from these is carried out with accessibilpast projects were used toward the devel- ity in mind, but walkways behind Kendall and opment of new projects such as the Student Trinity halls were specifically targeted to repair Services Center Plaza last summer. Leftover uneven terrain, she said. funds from the West First Street construction Other changes around the university included project will be put toward the construction of the painting of Selvester’s Cafe-by-the-Creek the arts and humanities building, Hoffman and re-roofing the Performing Arts Center. said. “The remaining source of funding for the Griffin Rogers can be reached at project is from non-state funds,” she said. grogers@theorion.com
PAYING MORE Student fees have raised sharply over the past three years. The CSU board of trustees has raised tuition by $530 this fall semester.
GRAPHIC BY TERCIUS BUFETE
TUITION: Additional spring hike likely if tax revenues fall short continued from A1
maybe we can stop it from going on like this for the next 20 years,” Coyle said. “Maybe we can stop before we get to $30,000 a year.” But encouraging signs do remain, as the recently passed Budget Control Act of 2011 increased Pell Grant funding by $17 billion. Yet, some students, like Director of University Affairs Nikki MacDougall, are skeptical that the grants won’t meet the demand.
“A lot of times they tell us that we’re getting this money and it will expand to meet the need base but it doesn’t,” MacDougall said. “So that’s another thing students have to combat with is having less money.” Students are encouraged to view their remaining balances on their portal accounts for the most current information on what they may owe. Kenny Lindberg can be reached at newseditor@theorion.com
LUCERO: Death of student felt by entire Carmel Valley community continued from A1
cliff and rolled several times, Mitchell said. Lucero graduated from Carmel High School in 2010, where he was an honor student and played football. “It’s tragic,” said Golden Anderson, athletic director at Carmel High School in an email interview. “He was an outstanding student athlete at Carmel High School. He excelled in the classroom, community and on the field. Keenan was a high honors student all four years. His passing has really hit the community hard.” Anderson added that Lucero “was one of the most prepared, consistent students that I have ever encountered.” “Unfortunately, I did not know Keenan, but it’s a terrible loss for the Chico State family,” said Joe Wills, director of Public Affairs and Publications. “To lose someone so young, someone still just starting out on his own life; it’s really horrible.” Memorial services for Lucero were held Friday at Carmel Mission Basilica, according to the statement. Andre Byik can be reached at abyik@theorion.com.
WREC: Food vendors dominated festive event continued from A1
Director Teresa Clements said. “It’s also a great opportunity for vendors and local businesses to interact with the community.” Businesses could be seen passing out free food and marketing materials and telling students where in town their business is located. Clements said work to convert the WREC into the venue capable of holding Wrectacular began the day before the event. The basketball hoops were raised, the floors covered and an elaborate system of pipes and drapes was conceived to house the variety of vendors. The list of vendors included local businesses as well as nationwide chains offering everything from food to banking information. Wells Fargo, Precor, Woodstock’s Pizza, Madison Bear Garden, Jamba Juice, Aca Taco, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, and Office Depot were among the vendors inside of the WREC. “It was a good turnout and I am sure we will do it again,” said John Lucas, a Chronic Taco
THE ORION • SARAH MANN
SUBMAN Local businesses were eager to give a taste to people. employee. The only problem cited by vendors was running out of promotional materials too quickly, said Greg Remillard, the WREC marketing assistant and a Chico State senior. Some of the items given away included tri-tip, pizza, smoothies, coffee, energy
drinks, chicken wings, tacos, Frisbees and cup holders. More than 90 paid vendors and 30 students organizations attended in the hopes of surpassing last year’s crowd of 7,000 people, Remillard said. For the prime location, the first row of booths on the basketball court, vendors paid $500. Prices ranged form $300-500 for the varying booth locations with some as high as $1,000 if they elected for the sponsorship upgrade, which included digital advertising, Remillard said. Pete Ward, a Chico State graduate and program manager at the State of California Alternative Fuels & Vehicle Technology Program, said it was a fantastic event with great outreach and a very impressive display by the university and the responsive staff. His daughter is an incoming Chico State freshman. After the event, Remillard estimated more than 8,000 people had attended Wrectacular 2011. Sam Kelly can be reached at skelly@theorion.com
opinion A8 |
Thumbs Up to you picking up the first issue of The Orion. Literacy never looked so good
Thumbs Down to people who define themselves by what they don’t like. We just don’t like that.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 24, 2011
Thumbs Up to Katy Perry’s song “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” We can say Friday without cringing now.
opinions all week @ theorion.com
EDITORIAL >>
Chico construction funds should be liquid, not frozen Higher education and construction have a lot in common. Both take just a few years to complete and have a radical effect on the public landscape for decades. Both require a huge investment of time and money. And both are scheduled to continue at Chico State for a very long time. The university spent $1,412,035 this summer on landscaping, underground infrastructure and a pedestrian mall along West First Street. It also plans to spend $10,263,143
on the new parking structure being constructed just south of campus on Normal Avenue. At the same time, tuition is at an all-time high. The California State University cut enrollment by 10,000 students systemwide this spring. Student fees have increased by 86 percent in the last four years. We lucky few who can afford to pay for our education may soon no longer attend a public university, in any meaningful sense of the word. The $11 million we spent on
construction could go a long way toward making our private education public again. With $11 million, the university could pay the annual salary of 121 base-salaried tenure-track professors or provide free tuition for 2,010 students. The university could be using the money allotted for construction to build a wider door into Chico State, rather than an elaborate facade the public can only admire from afar. Unfortunately, the hands of Chico State’s administration
are tied by state law. The funds used for the Normal Avenue Parking Structure and the First Street Improvement Project cannot be used to lower tuition or hire faculty, said Lori Hoffman, Chico State’s vice president of Business and Finance. This division of funding makes no sense when viewed within the context of higher education’s turbulent financial situation. Money for capital construction projects must be set aside years in advance during a time when hundreds of millions
of dollars are cut annually from the CSU. When those kinds of doomsday cuts occur, Chico State needs its money free to help keep classes open, rather than staying frozen in a bank account. The creation of new buildings can be postponed. The creation of new teachers, writers and thinkers cannot. Education and construction have a lot in common — but you’d expect the state to know which is worth more.
There’s an app for that: Tips for creating Apple-cations Quinn Western OPINION COLUMNIST
When my friend and I are done developing our iPhone application, you’ll be able to go to Apple Inc.’s App Store, type in “Party in Your Pants” and find the best parties closest to Chico State. I teamed up with another college student to develop this application in July, and we don’t expect to be done until January. Developing an application is a long process for most first-timers, but cashing in on the “I wish this was an app” moment may be easier than you think. Let’s face it: We are the technological generation, with all of the bells and whistles that implies, and we can find anything we desire by touching a button on our cell phones. Much of the technology it takes to invent an application comes easy to us because we were born into it. Freshman Payton Cahill owns an iPhone and sees how many college students could benefit from the nearly limitless app ideas still available. “They say there’s an app for everything, but there really isn’t,” Cahill said. “There should be an app that puts the toothpaste on your toothbrush for you.” To create an application, you need to invest in an iPhone or iPod Touch — yes, this hobby costs quite a bit of money. You will also need a Mac computer, the latest version of Apple’s application developing software and $99 to join the iPhone Developer Program. You also need to sign a nondisclosure agreement. Creating the computer code can be challenging, so hiring someone to do the job for you isn’t a bad idea, Cahill said. “I’m not that technologically savvy,” he said. “I have good ideas and I would like to tell someone
my ideas and have them create it for me.” Most importantly, you need to plan out every detail of your application and be sure there isn’t anything similar on the market — or decide that yours is an improvement on the others. FIVE APPS Obviously, there’s potential EVERY for money-making in the app STUDENT NEEDS business. Robert Nay, an eighthCram- Make grader from Utah, developed flashcards and an app called “Bubble Ball,” create multiplewhich has been downloaded choice tests more than 2 million times. Known as a computer genius, Logical Nay created this game app in Dimension - Has just two months with more a city and Chico than 4,000 lines of code. State map Nay has since created a Amazon Student99-cent upgrade for and conCompare prices tinues to develop other apps. by scanning He has a jump-start on his barcodes college tuition — you could have a jump-start on your Spotify - It’s a grad school fund. combination While things are looking of Pandora bright for Nay, people aren’t and iTunes always that lucky. You run the risk of putting a lot of money Shareyourboard - Capture your and time into a project that professor’s notes may not work out in the end. with your phone But it’s no different from hobbies like collecting autographed memorabilia, which can get pretty pricey. It takes a lot of dedication, but to see a great idea come to life is in itself rewarding. Quinn Western can be reached at qwestern@theorion.com
ILLUSTRATION BY CHELSEA ROSS
Cosmetics conceal unethical animal testing practices Cassidy Gooding OPINION COLUMNIST
I hate getting soap in my eyes. It hasn’t happened all that frequently since I was 6, but every once in awhile, I tilt my head the wrong way in the shower toward disaster. The pain, disorientation and temporary blindness do not last long, but it is definitely an unpleasant experience. I can’t help but imagine what life must be like for the millions of animals that cosmetic companies use to test their products on every year. Every time Pantene Pro-V revamps their product line, or Covergirl decides Nicki Minaj’s green lipstick fetish might turn a profit, lab animals have the privilege of being their first models. Take a look at the back of your shampoo bottle. The super long, tongue-twister of names listed there belong to synthetic chemicals that are churned out from labs as cheap alternatives to natural ingredients. Early in the testing process, these chemicals and the cosmetics they produce are forced into animals’ eyes and ears, down
their throats and onto their skin to measure irritancy or toxicity levels. If an animal is severely harmed or killed during these tests, it is disposed of, and the scientists slink back to the drawing board to look for a new way to perfect their formula. And I complain about getting a little runoff shampoo in my eye. The Food and Drug Administration does not require products or chemicals to be tested on animals before they are released for sale. As more accurate and humane alternatives to animal testing become available, the use of mice, rabbits, cats and even monkeys to assess the safety of man-made chemicals becomes increasingly appalling — especially when human tissue cultures or sophisticated computer technology would work just as well. This makes finding companies that do not endorse or participate in animal testing all the more refreshing. Doug Leiker, owner of Warm Earth Pottery & Cosmetics, has avoided using animaltested products for the 30 years he has been in business. The Chico-based company ships eye shadow, blush and a variety of makeup brushes locally and internationally and was built on the practice of using food-grade
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materials and natural minerals that are “as clean as you can get them,” Leiker said. “I rub my products on the inside of my own wrist or on my palm and see what happens,” Leiker said of the cosmetics he makes from scratch in his warehouse. Companies like Leiker’s that use allnatural products bypass the need to test their ingredients on animals completely, making them some of the biggest advocates for change. The consumer, however, plays the most powerful role in affecting change. The next time you shower or clean your bathroom, quickly peruse the shiny labels on your favorite conditioner, hairspray, nail polish or other cosmetics; if a statement like “not tested on animals” is not visible on the bottle, chances are whatever is inside was once a bringer of torment for an unsuspecting rabbit or mouse. Every time another bottle of Herbal Essences or tube of Maybelline mascara is purchased, it sends a message to these companies that their antiquated, stubborn and downright heartbreaking use of animal testing is OK. We can no longer be suckers for Adriana Lima, Eva Longoria and the other airbrushed celebrities who act like they
Ashley Nakano Gerardo Rocha Kacey Gardner Art Director
Liam Turner
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love the products they are paid to sell. Who is Drew Barrymore to tell us which mascara to buy? It is so easy, especially with the use of the Internet, to pick out companies that take a stand against this horrendous practice with good and affordable products. The animal rights group PETA has a brochure listing cosmetic companies that have signed their pledge to be “cruelty-free.” Most of these companies sport the logo on the backs of their products. The brochure also lists companies that refuse to make the “cruelty-free” pledge to eliminate ambiguity for shoppers. Spreading awareness about this dirty little secret many cosmetic companies hide is the most effective thing anyone can do. It is hard to believe that people would still purchase animal-tested products if they knew that suffering is the main ingredient. Once the word is spread, mice and rabbits will no longer have to be trendsetters, sporting all the new styles before the rest of us. And maybe if all natural products prevail, hapless bathers like me can stop rinsing with their eyes shut defensively tight. Cassidy Gooding can be reached at cgooding@theorion.com
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Thumbs Down to arriving at Chico and realizing you’ve forgotten something. How much does postage to mail a laptop cost?
Thumbs Up to the interrobang?! The worlds most expressive punctuation mark?!
Thumbs Down to “fall” beginning in August. Fall doesn’t really start until we can wear a jacket and buy a pumpkin spice latte.
opinions all week @ theorion.com
Thumbs Up to USA’s new series, Suits. It’s the perfect marriage of sharks and snark.
OPINION
Thumbs Down to incorrect pronunciation. Esplanade does not rhyme with lemonade.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 24, 2011 |
A9
Isolation contagious in college; Silence stifles conversation ILLUSTRATION BY CHELSEA ROSS
“
Grief expressed is grief diminished
“
RIC NEWTON Sociology instructor
Ben Mullin OPINION EDITOR
I’m living by myself for the first time this semester, and the worst part is the cooking. Some nights, I pop a tupperware bowl full of pre-cooked food into the microwave, push a button and spend an agonizing three minutes wondering whether or not plastic is microwave-safe. Then I take the only seat in my one-room apartment and eat my single-serving meal slowly. When I’m done, I crash on my twinless twin bed and read quietly until I fall asleep. Now that you’ve all RSVP’d to my pity party, I want to be perfectly clear — most of the time, I’m more than happy to come home to a fridge full of food, a shelf full of books and an empty apartment full of me. But on others, I walk home and think about how loneliness is as much a part of college as textbooks are, and how rarely we go out of our way to think about it. Outside of singing a chorus of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” with my friends, I’ve never heard loneliness talked about out loud. The most insidious thing about isolation is that it’s not commonly discussed, so people assume no one else deals with it — when in fact, the exact opposite is true. According to a study done by the University of Chicago, UC San Diego and Harvard, loneliness is as contagious as the common cold. People who feel isolated tend to be linked socially with other people that are lonely, and transmit feelings of isolation to their close friends, according to the study. The experience of lonliness is also a type of grief, a way for the human body to process the feeling of loss, said Ric Newton,
a Chico State sociology instructor and mortuary co-owner. College students could grieve over losses as dramatic as the death of a family member or the shock that comes with moving away from home for the first time, Newton said. “Grief is a reaction to loss,” he said. At Chico State, where people are constantly graduating, coupling, breaking up, moving in and dropping out, minor loss is never too far away. College is a place defined by permanent transition, so it follows that grief, and the mental health problems associated with it, would be endemic — and they are. The Center for Disease Control lists suicide as the third leading cause of death among college-aged students. And nearly 50 percent of all college students have reported being so depressed they had trouble functioning, according to Mental Health America of Illinois. But you wouldn’t know it from asking around. The biggest symptom of isolation is the silence that accompanies not being able to tell people about it. This is unfortunate, because the expression of lonliness is key to getting rid of it, Newton said. “Grief expressed is grief diminished,” he said. I’m living alone for the first time in my life, but that doesn’t mean I have to live on my own. The walls are great listeners, the microwave is plugged in, but there’s no substitute for breaking bread with good friends. And if I can’t think of anything to say between mouthfuls, I won’t feel awkward talking about being lonely — because I know I’m not alone. Ben Mullin can be reached at opinioneditor@theorion.com
ILLUSTRATION BY CHELSEA ROSS
Students bring new atmosphere Marty Salgado OPINION COLUMNIST
Before spending a whole summer here in Chico I viewed myself as a temporary student in this community, but now I feel like an active member. On a summer night two weeks ago, I made a bike trip with two good friends to the Thursday Night Market to visit the “Sweet Cottage” pie and tea vendor near the City Plaza. We sat on the grass and listened to a garage band play its country covers. The community members brought the music to life by singing and dancing with each other. Everything happening around me was so simple, but there was something different about it — Chico State students were absent. Within the past week, the once quiet streets of summertime have disappeared, and the campus is yet again full of students. I was beginning to feel overwhelmed by the rush of the oncoming semester, but then I began to think about how we all could help recapture the summer atmosphere that overtakes Chico. With approximately 8,000 more people in town, how can we bring more energy to this small-town community without ruining it? How could I help my peers view the city as I had seen it this summer? Even though Chico was empty during the
summer, it felt like more of a community. As students we need to be aware that Chico is more than just Chico State. We can do this by getting involved. If you don’t know what to get involved with, just ask yourself what you’re passionate about. Do you like animals? Then perhaps you should look into volunteering for the Butte Humane Society. Maybe you like to sing or write songs; The Chico State Wild Oak Music Group has a Songwriters Collective. If you get involved, whether it’s in a big or small RELATED STORY way, you are contributGet involed on D2 ing to this community. Find your passion and release it into the Chico community. There are a number of ways to get involved on and off campus. If you’re looking for off-campus organizations, visit Chico.com and look under the resources tab for a list of non-profit organizations. If they don’t have what you’re looking for, try a quick search on our school website. If all else fails, you could always put in a little elbow grease and do a quick search on Google. The City Plaza is no longer empty of students, but that doesn’t mean it has to be empty of the atmosphere that made it special that summer night. Chico is inside all of us — let it out. Marty Salgado can be reached at msalgado@theorion.com
PIECE OF MIND >> What is your favorite phone application and why? “Yelp. It’s pretty much like Google Maps, but they have everything you need.”
Carmella Ronas junior | social work
“My favorite is the Netflix app. If I’m out or really bored, I can just pull up a video.”
Chase Templeton Junior | biology
“I really like Hanging With Friends and Words With Friends. It’s really addicting.”
Madison Edwards freshman | psychology
“The GasBuddy, because it tells you where the cheapest gas is in town.”
Cullen Joy
freshman | criminal justice
A10 |
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WEDNESDAY, AUG. 24, 2011
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WINDOW TINTING SPRAY ON BEDLINERS Locally Owned & Operated Over 10 years of Experience 530.899.8155
629 Entler Avenue #8 Chico, CA 95928
Apartment/four-plex 745 W. 1st Ave. #1 $675/675 Townhouse 1144 Hobart Street #2 $950/1050 Duplex 945 Sycamore #B $725/825 Town-House 15 Klondike Ct #B $950/1050 Town-House 2420 Cactus Ave. $925/1025 House 8 Mckinley Lane, 3/2 $1025/1125 Apt 521 2nd Street-Orland #B, Studio/1 $375/475 House 358 1/2 E. 12th Street, 3/1 $750/850
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1382 Longfellow Ave. Chico 895-1733 www.reliableproperty.com