The Orion - Volume 73, Issue 8 by The Orion

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A+E

Debate: Chico State’s speech and debate team earned a chance to bring home a title from the national forensics championship in April. A2

Hybrid Creatures: After traveling the world, Eunkang Koh explores animalistic art in her “Humanity Bites” exhibit. B7

Opinion Breasts: Columnist Madison Holmes talks about living with big boobs — just because they’re there, doesn’t mean you can stare. A6 Emma Wood-Wright/The Orion

Queer Week: Students recall their coming out experiences for Queer Week and National Coming Out Day. B5

Sports Recruitment: New members of Chico State’s track and field team have successfully filled the shoes of 17 graduated seniors. B3

Chico State’s Independent Student News Source since 1975 theorion.com | Wednesday Oct. 15, 2014 | Vol. 73, Issue 8 | First copy free, additional copies 50¢

Associated Students

Statue vote postponed after criticism Madison Holmes

Staff Writer

Upset students took to Facebook last week in response to a proposal to install a wildcat statue on campus that could cost up to $300,000. Following the negative feedback in the Facebook comment section of a previous Orion report, the Associated Students postponed a vote to approve

an additional $40,000 contribution from the A.S. Instead, the board of directors will meet Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Bell Memorial Union to allow students to voice their opinion on how they feel about the project. “In lieu of the comments that were posted below (the story),” Herren wrote in an email, “I actually made the decision to postpone the vote to

allow students an opportunity to come and speak to us before we can make a final decision.” Many students voiced concerns of whether the proposed funding could be spent on something better or more worthwhile. “If they have money to blow, they could always put it into a minischolarship to help people who’re barely making their book bills which

are astronomical with the schools always forcing the ‘next edition’ thing to prevent people from buying last year’s books,” wrote Jeremy Fabiano on The Orion’s Facebook page. Another student said commenters were misinformed as to what the money could be spent

» please see STATUE | A3

TAYLOR HERREN

Associated Students president

Administration

Faculty Union

Professors rally for new contract New

interim provost named

David McVicker

News Editor

Chico State faculty union members have officially worked 100 days without a union contract. Members of the California Faculty Association, students and supporters staged a rally Oct. 9 in front of Kendall Hall. Rallies were also held Oct. 8 and 9 throughout the 23 California State University campuses. The faculty members and supporters’ message to the chancellor’s office is the need for a new contract that includes comprehensive salary increases and a workload reduction. “We’re here because we want a fair contract and the operative word is fair,” said Curtis Peldo, lecturer in the philosophy department. Union President Charles Turner delivered more than 150 signed letters to President Paul Zingg asking for Chico State administrators to support faculty in negotiations. Bargaining teams from the chancellor’s office and the California Faculty Association are still negotiating: • Salary increases • Workload reduction • Inverted pay scales Union negotiators are asking for a 1.8 percent increase in salaries each year. The increase will span the three years of the new contract. In addition, they’re asking for a 3 percent one-time increase

David McVicker

News Editor

Ernesto Rivera/The Orion

Charles Turner, president of the Chico State California Faculty Association, speaks to faculty members Oct. 8 outside the administrative offices in Kendall Hall. for all faculty members. “The chancellor’s proposal remains an inadequate one, which would leave faculty right back where we started, instead of setting us on the road to health,” wrote the California Faculty Association on its website. “We would

end up facing the same problems of inversion, exacerbated by the inability to progress through the ranks and ranges.” Chico State hired new faculty after the 2008 recession. Some of these new

Susan Elrod is the new Chico State interim provost and vice president of academic affairs. Elrod will begin her tenure Oct. 20 after former provost Belle Wei resigned more than one month ago. She comes from Fresno State, where SUSAN ELROD she served as the Interim provost and dean of the College vice president of of Science and academic affairs Mathematics. "I am thrilled to have this opportunity to return to Chico State as

» please see CONTRACT | A3

» please see PROVOST | A4

Sexual Assault

University police referred no victims to Enloe Madison Holmes

Staff Writer

In 2013, 65 exams were conducted at Enloe Medical Center for victims of sexual assault, according to an annual report from the Butte County Sexual Assault Response Team released Oct. 1. If every victim of sexual assault was getting an exam after the assault, the number would be much higher, said Jacqueline Winters-Hall, co-chair of the Butte County Sexual Assault Response Team and a forensic nurse at Enloe Medical Center. “The lack of reporting is our main message,” she said. “We want to eliminate shame and victim blaming so patients feel comfortable coming to us.” Out of the 65 exams, no sexual assault victim in the University Police Department’s jurisdiction, which covers any area owned or leased by Chico State, went to Enloe Medical Center for a nexam, according to the report. Of those assaulted, victims were referred to Enloe Medical Center by the following: • 50 percent by the Chico Police Department

• 17 percent by the Butte County Sheriff ’s Department • 16 percent by police departments outside of Butte County • Six percent by the Oroville Police Department • Five percent by the Paradise Police Department • Two percent by the Gridley Police Department • Two percent by California State Parks • Two percent were not referred by a source Every victim has a decision of whether or not they should get a medical evaluation, said Emily Peart, University Police Department’s Safe Place coordinator and committee member on the Sexual Assault Response Team. Forced or coerced use of drugs or alcohol were reported by among nearly one third of victims, Winters-Hall said. Many patients did not know or remember where they were sexually assaulted. If victims do not remember where they were assaulted, jurisdiction immediately falls back to the Chico Police Department, she said.

» please see ENLOE | A3

Infographic by David McVicker

The Butte County Sexual Assault Response Team’s report showed the University Police Department referred no victims of sexual assault to Enloe Medical Center.

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Academics

Debate team to compete nationally

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Madison Holmes

Staff Writer

Members of Chico State's speech and debate team have qualified to compete in a national forensics tournament at Ohio University in April 2015. Junior Chico State student Colby Knox and sophomore Kassandra Bednarski, qualified to attend the National Forensics Association's tournament because of their performances at the Golden Gate Opener in September. The team is an intercollegiate forensics program where students compete in cross examination, policy debate and individual We have events in competitions a young against other colleges. team — very At the Golden

few of our Gate Opener in San competitors Francisco State University this year, have more Knox received first than year of place and Bednarski experience. was selected as a Sue Peterson, finalist in two novice speech and debate extemporaneous director speaking events, a limited preparation speech event. Knox also took fourth place in both of the contest’s impromptu speaking events. Chico State's speech and debate team had five weeks to prepare for the tournament - a feat for the team because of how little time they had to prepare, said Sue Peterson, the speech and debate director at Chico State. “We have a young team — very few of our competitors have more than a year of experience, and many of them have only one semester prior to the current one – so I'm

Orion File Photo

Sports editor Nicholas Woodard writes about rivalries in baseball playoffs. theorion.com/sports

Julie Ramos/The Orion Photo courtesy of Kassandra Bednarski

Chico State’s Speech and Debate team after the Golden Gate Opener in San Francisco. excited to see what they can do as the year progresses and they get more competitive experience,” Peterson said. Chico State competed against Butte College, CSU Northridge, San Jose State University and San Francisco State University. More than 25 public and private universities participated. Several other Chico State students received recognition for their performances. Those students were: • Justin Flick, sophomore, placed fifth in the novice parliamentary debate. • Kevin Hernandez, sophomore, took first

place honors, along with Flick, in the novice parliamentary debate. • Zach Keller, senior, advanced to the semifinals in the novice parliamentary debate. • Kyle Davis, senior, advanced to the semifinals in the novice parliamentary debate. • Adrianna McCain, junior, took top novice honors in the after-dinner speaking event.

Professors give students tips on how to get through midterms. Put that fifth shot of espresso down and catch some z’s. theorion.com/features

Madison Holmes can be reached at

newseditor@theorion.com or @madisonholmes95 on Twitter. Annie Paige/The Orion

Community

Hmong members reflect on shooting

Opinion columnist Alyssa Dunning talks about labeling after Raven-Symone’s interview with Oprah. theorion.com/opinion

Robert Engels and Christine Lee

Staff Writers

Chico State pre-nursing junior Nou Xiong said she went to high school with three of the suspects involved in the Oct. 4 shooting incident in Chico. “It really shocked me to know that it was people that I grew up with,” said Xiong, who is also the vice president of the Hmong Student Association at Chico State. “They were the cool kids in high school. Everybody knew them, everybody liked them.” A shooting between two rival gang associates broke out around 1 p.m. Oct. 4, about one mile away from Bidwell Junior High School where the Chico Hmong New Year festival was held. Since the shooting, Xiong thinks the Hmong New Year festivals have been wrongly looked upon as a place that creates gang violence, she said. “It’s Hmong people against Hmong people,” she said. “It’s sad that we’re going against our own kind.” Gang members may have started a fight inside the festival but these gangs shouldn’t represent a group of people as a whole, Xiong said. Although the shooters have not been confirmed as gang members, they have been connected to Hmong gangs in Northern California, according to Sgt. Greg Keeney, from the Chico Police Department’s gang unit. The conflict between the rival gangs was initiated at the festival when the two rivalries spotted each other, Keeney said. The parties left the festival and later encountered each other on Pillsbury and Cohasset roads where the shooting took place. One rival rode in a white Toyota pickup while the other rode in a red Honda Civic. After both vehicles became disabled in the area, all suspects fled on foot. The five suspects in the Honda Civic ran toward Kmart where they were apprehended. Police are still searching for the two Asian males from the Toyota pickup.

CORRECTIONS In vol. 73, issue 8 in the story “A.S. to build bronze wildcat statue” The Orion misstated that A.S. contributed $50,000 to the project when its only approved $10,000. In vol. 73, issue 8 in the story “Fourteen students awarded scholarship” The Orion misstated ”His widow, Fern Rawlins, established the scholarship as part of the Lt. Robert Merton Rawlins Merit Award endowment in 1981.” Fern Rawlins is Lt. Robert Merton Rawlins’ mother.

Courtesy photo of Chico Performances

Take a gander at The Orion’s preview of The Hot Sardines jazz group. The New Yorkbased group is performing at Laxson Auditorium on Sunday. theorion.com/arts

Photo courtesy of Nou Xiong

Chico State students from the Hmong Student Association put on a fashion show at the Chico Hmong New Year Festival on Oct. 4. “All the community do a good job at the Hmong New Year to promote Hmong culture for the public and community, but the younger generation doesn’t think about culture,” said John Lo, a board member of the Oroville Hmong United Committee. Lo helped organize the Hmong New Year festival in Oroville Oct. 11 - 12. “I don’t think the New Year creates gangs,” he said. “The New Year does purpose to culture. (The gang members) come to create trouble.” The Oct. 4 shooting is not the first of its kind. In 2008, a 19-year-old Chico Hmong man was killed in a similar incident around the time of the annual Hmong festival. “Sometimes we have incidents of violence happen in the festival itself, and there are other times when it is in the neighborhood surrounding them,” Keeney said. In Butte County, there has been a history between two rival gangs that have led to many

violent altercations. Keeney said these types of altercations are hard to prevent. “You can’t plan to stop incidents like that,” he said. “Even with security in the festival itself, you can’t predict where that is going to occur.” The Oroville Hmong festival went smoothly, Lo said. The Oroville Hmong United Committee decided to increase policing efforts after the Oct. 4 shooting in Chico. Xiong said that after reading Facebook comments on the Oct. 4 shooting, she feels it has made the Hmong community and the festivals look negative. “After reading those comments, I felt like people were scared,” Xiong said. “They said with the Hmong people fighting, it’s dangerous, but we are scared too.”

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theorion.com/news | Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014 | A3

News Briefs Woman struck, killed by train A woman was killed around 5 a.m. Monday after she was stuck by a southbound train behind Yolo field. Police removed the dismembered body of the woman at around 8 a.m. The body was found between train tracks. The woman has yet to be identified, but is likely a middle-aged transient, according to investigators on the scene. Police are still determining whether it was an accident or the woman committed suicide. The train was stopped at thre depot near the corner of West Fifth Avenue and Orange Street, blocking all traffic but continued moving at around 9 a.m. -David McVicker

Career fair coming to Chico State Chico State’s inaugural job fair is right around the corner. The fair will be held Wednesday Oct. 22, from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Bell Memorial Auditorium and is available to Chico State and Butte College students. National employers include Dick Sporting Goods, Foster Farms, Meek’s Lumber and Hardware and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, among others. Local businesses will also show up, with booths from Windsor Chico Creek healthcare company, Butte County, the Chico State Research Foundation and Wanderful Media. -Mozes Zarate

University housing and food services removes rotting tree

Courtesy photo of Chico State

Students and families come together to do many of the things the city of Chico has to offer during the Experience Chico Week festivities.

Chico experience week is back in town Chico State students, friends and family will get the chance to participate in the more than 100 events as part of the fifth annual Chico Experience Week. Events will happen around the campus and throughout the city of Chico. The event was kicked off on Oct. 10 and runs through Oct 19. Among them are tours of the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park tours, Adventure Outings American River raft trips and many more. Alumni events include this year’s Golden Grad reunion for those who graduated in 1964 or earlier, and a Janet Turner student reunion, celebrating what would have been the late artist’s 100th birthday, according to a press release.

“There is so much to love about Chico, and The Chico Experience Week provides myriad opportunities to celebrate the campus and community that so many of us cherish,” said Sue Anderson, assistant vice president for Alumni and Parent Relations. “There is truly something for everyone.” Chico State's Greek Week will happen during Experience Chico week festivities. Students in fraternities and sororities come together to host food and blood drives and a walk to raise funds for breast cancer research. Events guides are available at The Chico Experience Week Visitor Center in Sapp Hall. Tickets for the events can be purchased at the university box office. -David McVicker

University Housing and Food Service removed two trees Sunday between Tehama and Whitney halls. The larger of the two, a California incense cedar, showed signs of extreme decay and was at risk of falling during wind storms according to a Chico State press release. The other, a smaller yew tree, was removed to make room for the planting of another California incense cedar. “I will be replacing the cedar tree in a nearby area, but where there is a lot less concrete,” said Luisa Garza, lead groundskeeper. One of the reasons the cedar tree is rotting is when the campus expanded, its roots were cut to make room for buildings, roads and sidewalks, Garza said. This, and the loss of the tree’s crown, caused the cedar to take up unneeded water and begin to rot. “My heart is so sadden by the loss of the beautiful giant,” she said. The arboretum committee, a group on campus charged with protection of the campus’ tree population, is currently discussing rules to protect tree roots from being cut for future expansion, Garza said. The tree was planted as part of a series more than 120 years ago at the request of Chico founder John Bidwell. Two more cedar trees in the area, one by Lassen Hall and another by Whitney Hall, are in good health and will remain in place, Garza said. -David McVicker

Associated Students

Board seeking new vice president, officers Mozes Zarate

Managing Editor The Associated Students are seeking new leadership following turnover of four student board members, including the organization’s second-in-command. As of Monday, the A.S. are in the process of interviewing candidates for the following Government Affairs Council positions: • Executive vice president, formerly held by Kory Acosta. • Commissioner of sustainability affairs, formerly held by Zach Keller.

Also being interviewed are the A.S. senators for the College of Natural Sciences and the College of Communications, formerly held by Tyler Fowler and Yoselin Calderon, respectively. Except for Acosta, who resigned, all former officers were deemed ineligible to hold their positions. Acosta declined to comment on his reason for leaving the position. The reason for the vacancy of the officers has not been confirmed. The A.S.’s bylaws outline minimum requirements to hold positions, including maintaining a minimum 2.3 grade point average and

being enrolled in six units each semester. Following the interviews, members of the Government Affairs Council will recommend a candidate to the A.S.’s board of directors, said Taylor Herren, A.S. president. “We’re moving the process as quickly as we can while being diligent,” she said. Mozes Zarate can be reached at

managingeditor@theorion.com or @mozeszarate on Twitter.

The Orion file photo

Kory Masen, former A.S. executive vice president, resigned his position.

Enloe: New system speeds up DNA processing Contract: » Enrollment caps increased without pay incentive continued from A1

» continued from A1 members were given higher salaries than those with more When I was seniority, who hired in 2008 took pay cuts my enrollment rather than caps were 35 layoffs. This in a class. The inversion has second year I come to the forefront of was here my the discussion enrollment cap in the union went up to 50. I negotiator’s havent seen any calls to “be compensation made whole.” for that increase Faculty and that’s members said the number exploitative. of students in classes have Robert Jones, increased assistant philosophy without the pay increases needed to support teachers. “When I was hired in 2008, my enrollment caps were 35 in a class,” said Robert Jones, assistant professor of philosophy. “The second year I was here, my enrollment cap went up to 50. I haven’t seen any compensation for that increase and that’s exploitative.” Mike Uhlenkamp, California State University spokesman, said he is confident the bargaining units will reach a tentative agreement in the coming days. David McVicker can be reached at

newseditor@theorion.com or @DavidPMcVicker on Twitter.

Enloe has made a commitment to make sure every patient is seen, regardless of jurisdiction, Winters-Hall said. “Wherever the assault occurred, they’re still our patients,” she said. “They’ve been harmed and we want to help them.” In the report, the median age of the victims was 26 years old, with 44 percent of victims younger than 25 years old. Determining whether a victim is a student was not a part of the exam in the past, a question that will be included in the exam beginning this year, WintersHall said. “Next year, we’ll be able to break down who are Chico State students,” Peart said. All 65 exams were conducted on female victims, Winters-Hall said. “It’s one of our goals to reach out

to men and let them know that it does happen to men, and they should come in as well,” she said. Peart said there is a great stigma and lack of truthful information when it comes to sexual assault and men. “I don’t think it’s really portrayed that men can even be medically evaluated after a sexual assault and they can,” Peart said. To make victims of sexual assault more comfortable with reporting the assault, Enloe adopted a new service to provide quicker DNA results from a rape kit. The service is called Rapid DNA service and provides DNA results from a rape kit in just 15 days. This is in comparison to the 18 months it used to take for testing, or no testing at all, Winters-Hall said. The DNA goes through a program called Combined DNA Index System, which stores and all unsolved crime

DNA and any known criminals. With this system, repeat offenders can be linked and a suspect profile can be created, she said. Formerly, law enforcement would pick and choose which sexual assault cases to request DNA from, Winters-Hall said. Now, every patients’ swabs are sent. Only eight of the 58 counties in California have the service. This service is better than the old one because victims are still involved in their case within that time. Under the old method, patients often gave up and moved on due to the slowness of the process, Winters-Hall said. “The victim is still involved, the evidence is still there, the victim hasn’t moved on or started a new life,” she said. Madison Holmes can be reached at

newseditor@theorion.com or @mholmes95 on Twitter.

Statue: AS to ask for student input on statue » continued from A1 on. Chico State student Charles Curtis said the statue could bring school spirit to campus. “I would agree we could use more school spirit,” he wrote on The Orion’s Facebook page. “If athletics, alumni and the university is putting this much into it, I’m up for it. As long as it looks good.” The A.S. had previously approved $10,000 toward the project while the following organizations donated: • $50,000 – by the Alumni Association, $25,000 of which is from their Campus Beautification fund, a fund that designates money to improve campus aesthetics. • $10,000 – by the athletics department. • $20,000 – by the university. Currently, there is $90,000 pledged to the statue fund. The A.S. will be tabling this week on campus Tuesday through Thursday, so students can ask questions and share their comments and ideas with the officers, Herren wrote on The Orion’s Facebook page. Madison Holmes can be reached at

newseditor@theorion.com or @madisonholmes95 on Twitter.

Photo courtesy of the Associated Students

A $160,000 wildcat statue from the University of New Hampshire that the Associated Students is using as an example for Chico State

A4 | Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014 | theorion.com/news

Provost: Alumna brings extensive teaching experience to Chico State

POLICE

BLOTTER

» continued from A1

Thursday, 10:07 p.m.: Narcotics violation at Whitney Hall. “Resident advisor advising smell of marijuana.” Friday, 5:55 p.m.: Petty theft at Meriam Library on West First Street. “Responding party at UPD reporting theft of her wallet and tablet from her backpack while at the library.” Friday, 10:23 p.m.: Medical aid with alcohol involved at Whitney Hall. “Extremely drunk in public, possibly fell – is bleeding profusely from his head.” Saturday, 3:41 p.m.: Welfare check at A Lot on West Sacramento Avenue and Warner Street. “Responding party advising female has been drinking and is asleep in her vehicle. Responding party advised she knows female is a resident of dorms and that this is a frequent occurrence.”

Chico Police

University Police

The police blotter is a selection of information cited directly from Chico Police Department and University Police Department. Thursday, 8:56 a.m.: Suspicious subject at Head Start Preschool. “Transient subject walked into preschool office and asked if there were surveillance cameras and stated he was supposed to go to jail.” Friday, 12:49 p.m.: Petty theft on White Avenue. “Occurred yesterday. Inhome care provider stole cigarettes and $160. Responding party now advised that the suspect was actually just there for interview and wasn’t actually hired.” Friday, 11:30 p.m.: Suspicious subject on Ivy Street. “Male subject red shirt, backpack standing outside near the complex sign. Responding party is freaking out, states he appears to be checking for something in the bushes. She insists he has to have a gun or on drugs or something.”

Sunday, 1:24 a.m.: Assault at Bell Memorial Union on West Second Street. “Responding party advising two black female adults and one white female adult assaulted her. Advising they started hitting her in the face. One suspect possibly wearing white crop top, responding party unable to provide further. Responding party standing by ATMs.”

Saturday, 11:37 a.m.: Family dispute on Chestnut Street. “17-year-old was making pancakes and made marijuana butter to put on his pancakes. 17-yearold then gave his two-year-old brother a bite of the pancakes with the marijuana butter.”

Monday, 12:22 p.m.: Vandalism at Butte Hall. “Women’s fifth floor restroom stall to far right, a purple flower on a toilet paper holder, seat cover holder ‘live simply-do not conform,’ ‘Join me.’ Men’s restroom, black marker drawing of an eye, pink ‘CHImoe,’ red marker ‘the notorious stoozus.’”

Sunday, 1:23 p.m.: Harassment on East Lassen Avenue. “Responding party advising ex-boyfriend from four years ago uses her Facebook pic as his profile pic, tells people he will marry her, hangs out at the hookah lounge where she goes and tries to talk to her.”

Monday, 4:38 p.m.: Petty theft at track stadium on College Drive. “Three backpacks stolen within the past 20 minutes during Chico State track practice. Backpacks left unattended at the university track under the east side bleachers near the grass. Backpacks contained keys, wallets, laptops and cellphones.”

Sunday, 4:52 p.m.: Drunk in public on West Fourth Street. “Male subject screaming at people coming out of church. Told reporting party that he was going to ‘mess him up.’”

-Compiled by Anna Sobreviñas

interim provost,” said Elrod in a press release. “I know how transformative the Chico experience is because of the impact that it had on my life. Chico is truly a special place." Prior to that she worked as a faculty member in the biological sciences department at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She has also served as associate dean for strategic initiatives, special assistant to the provost and vice chair of the academic senate. “With a national reputation in STEM teaching and learning, I look forward extensive experience leading to working with efforts with and for faculty the faculty, and staff and an ability to work with other divisions like students, staff, student affairs and advancement alumni, friends to achieve her institution’s and community priorities, Susan is an ideal members to choice as our interim provost," continue to Zingg wrote in a statement to advance the the campus. "And it doesn’t hurt mission of this that she is a proud alumna and looking forward to returning to great university. Chico.” Susan Elrod, Elrod graduated from Chico interim provost and State with honors in 1986, vice president of according to a press release. academic affairs "I look forward to working with the faculty, students, staff, alumni, friends and community members to continue to advance the mission of this great university,” Elrod said. Zingg said Elrod will remain as the interim until fall 2015, when the search for a permanent provost will begin. David McVicker can be reached at

newseditor@theorion.com or @DavidPMcVicker on Twitter.

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theorion.com/opinion | Wednesday Oct. 15, 2014 | Vol. 73, Issue 8 |

Editorial

Campus beautification should save trees, not pour concrete

cedar tree that was planted more than 120 years ago was cut down Sunday between Whitney and Tehama halls. The tree was rotting from the inside-out and at risk of falling over.

Last semester, a tree fell behind Lassen Hall, killing Pa Houa Lor, a sophomore health science major. Three weeks ago, another one fell and crushed a bridge that countless students cross to get to their classes every day. Just last weekend, two more rotting trees were sawed to the ground because of poor health. The trees, whose roots were cut to make room for a new sidewalk, were in danger of falling. In the last four years, Chico State has received quite the facelift: new walkways in front of the Performing Arts Center and Physical Science Building and a brand new sidewalk next to Plumas Hall,

front of the PAC is rarely on the list of sights to see. Visitors want to see the Rose Garden and the creek that courses, or rather trickles, through campus. among others. Chico State’s natural beauty is what Apparently, campus beautification draws people to campus. It’s the the reacomes at a much son why many higher price than students choose expected. Chico over other Chico State needs universities. Student safety has to be to refocus their camIt’s this very prioritized above beautification pus renovation prisame beauty projects, especially when those orities. Sidewalks that has become projects are oftentimes the root and promenades a hazard to stuof campus safety hazards. are pretty, but Chico dents and facState’s natural feaulty because of tures are in need of irresponsible some serious help. upkeep. When a student’s family comes to Chico Rather than focusing time, effort and to visit for a weekend, the promenade in money on arbitrary campus beautifica-

tion projects, Chico State should invest in its natural fixtures and students’ safety. It’s true that inspecting every tree on campus is a tall order. However, student safety has to be prioritized above beautification projects, especially when those projects are oftentimes the root of campus safety hazards. It’s nice to see the school start to inspect trees and remove those that seem unsafe, but sawing down a a tree that is as old as this university is in no way a win. If Chico State were to take a proactive stance on inspecting and maintaining trees then its campus could maintain its coveted natural beauty, and students wouldn’t have be constantly looking up for fear of falling branches. The unsigned Orion editorial is the collaborative opinion of the editorial board.

Big boobs: The bane of my existence Madison Holmes

Opinion Columnist

Zarchary Phillips/ The Orion

It’s Christmas of 2006 and the only thing I want is boobs. As an 11-year-old, boobs are very important to me. My 13-year-old sister has boobs and my friends are developing little 11-yearold pancake boobs. I have nothing. I’m desperate enough to ask Santa to have mercy and grant me the gift of large breasts. My mother still likes to remind me, “You asked Santa and Santa gave ‘em to you!” Thank you for informing me, once again, that it’s my fault for “asking Santa” to make me disabled. Running is now impossible. No sports bra that I know of, and I know of them all, se-

curely holds the twins in place. Not that I exercise. It would just be nice to throw on a sports bra to get Taco Bell on a Sunday morning when I’m too hungover to deal with the clasps on a regular bra. Forget about flowing shirts. I’d like to think that I have somewhat of a slender waist; a real nice, hourglass shape. Unfortunately, I face the daily challenge of finding a way to accentuate my waist without looking like a stripper. If I wear a shirt that doesn’t cling to my body, I usually end up looking like a potato sack or plump peasant. My boobs create a canopy-like effect for the rest of my body. If I wear a tight shirt, my waist is clearly exposed but so are my gigantic knockers. Thus, the dilemma continues. Big boobs aren’t all bad, though. They’ve kept me entertained for years. Sometimes, I like to just hold them while I watch TV. I don’t know why.

They’ve been a defense mechanism. When my sisters and I get into fights, I flash my boobs at them and they scream and run away. I don’t know why I do this, but I have for years and still think it’s hilarious. No one else feels this way. They’ve brought some much needed drama into my life too. While talking to some dude at a party, he bent over and motorboated me. I slapped him and made a scene while drunkenly yelling about feminism. It was perfect. I love every part of me, including my boobs. However, it’s getting harder for me to say no when my grandma offers to pay for a breast reduction every Christmas, since Santa has yet to come through on that wish. Madison Holmes can be reached at

opinioneditor@theorion.com or @madisonholmes95 on Twitter.

Sitting with strangers is an unnecessary evil Megan Mann

Opinion Columnist I’m sitting in the library attempting to study for a midterm when a random person comes up to my table. “May I sit here?” they ask, their hand placed firmly on one of the chairs, backpack ready to hit the ground the minute I say yes. What happens next will blow your mind. I say no, giving a brief apology while explaining that I prefer solitude when I study. Although they don’t say anything as they move on to a different table, I can see it in their face that they’re cursing me internally and thinking to themselves: “Who the h- e- double hockey sticks does this girl think she is? She’s sitting at a table for four and has the balls to tell me that I can’t sit there, too? (Insert personal choice of profane or suggestive language here.)” Yes, it’s true, I am one of those rare students who won’t let my peers sit at my table whether it be in the Marketplace Cafe or the library. But don’t get me wrong, I’m

not channeling my inner Gretchen Wieners and it’s nothing against my fellow Wildcats. I don’t always mind letting people join my table at lunch or in the library, and am normally happy if they ask to sit with me, rather than just plop down without a word. However, some days I’m just either feeling super unsociable, or I really need to get some studying done and can’t be bothered. And yes, I know what everyone’s probably thinking: “Well, why are you taking up a table for four if you want to be alone? Go sit on the third floor if you don’t want to be bothered.” My only response: Why doesn’t everyone else do that instead of trying to sit at the specific table on which I’ve already spread out the entire contents of my backpack? Not only is their argument weak, but there’s no way those little cubbies on the third floor are going to have enough room for everything I need to study. I’d rather be seen as a Regina George and ace my midterms than be Cady Heron, stuck with the Mathletes because I tanked my grades trying to be extra nice. Megan Mann can be reached at

Rachel Dugo/ The Orion

opinioneditor@theorion.com or @meganisthemann on Twitter.

Thumbs Thumbs up to Associated Students tabling this week to get student opinions on the new wildcat statue. If A.S. had a nickel for every time someone suggested a new football team, it could buy two statues.

Thumbs down to rumors of a mass snapchat photo leak. Remember, looking at people’s personal pictures of their gluten-free vegan muffins is an invasion of privacy.

Thumbs up to Susan Elrod, the new interim provost. She’ll be in office for a whole year, just enough time for Chico State to invest in a new “Provost Wanted” sign.

Thumbs down to the first case of Ebola on American soil. Is skipping class for fear of contracting a deadly disease considered an unexcused absence?

theorion.com/opinion | Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014 | A7

To bro, or not to bro

Mickey Layson/The Orion

‘In the closet’: A fate worse than death Zachary Phillips

Opinion Editor

Madison Holmes/ The Orion

I’ve hated the word “closet” ever since I learned it was more than a place for storing shoes. Of all the phrases people could have conjured to describe hiding one’s sexuality out of fear and shame, they picked “in the closet,” as if I had just spent half of my life hanging out in the dark with a couple coats and jackets. I never spent a single day in a closet. I was in a locker room. For six years I rushed past rows of lockers, head down, eyes at my feet. I was embarrassed, ashamed. I would have rather gone to class smelling like a donkey’s ass than step one foot into those showers. Looking back, that locker room was a minefield, and I the heavy-footed soldier. I’d seen what it was like for the boys that couldn’t hide as easily as me. One misstep and everyone knows your secret. One screwup and your whole world is blown to hell. “In the closet.” I should be so lucky. I never set foot in a closet. I sat in a church pew. For eleven years, every weekend, I sat in the front row and listened to my pastor call out what most gays know as “The List.” Murderers, thieves, adulterers, homosexuals: What fine company I had kept. Looking back, that church pew felt like an electric chair. When he read from that list, my body seized. The hair on my neck and arms bristled. Rage shook me like a thousand volts

vibrating each individual cell. Hatred was the electrode humming over my head, my own fears the leather straps restraining my wrists and ankles. Eventually my rage cooled to bitter resentment, and the tender flesh of my faith hardened into a callous: rigor mortis of the soul. I found every possible excuse there was to stay away from that church, but I never found my way into a closet. I found my way to senior prom. Flower on my lapel, corsage on her wrist, I kissed her cheek. I told her she looked beautiful. We danced so close that her foundation left a silhouette on my shirt, a cameo pendant for a false lover. Looking back, that room didn’t feel like a dance hall. It was a gas chamber. The last eight years had been a slow, silent asphyxiation, and I was my own executioner. Hiding my sexuality had become second nature. It was easy, like lying down on the chamber floor and falling asleep. Even then, I knew that if I didn’t find a way out, this would be a sleep that I would never wake up from. I wish I could say that since coming out I’ve never looked back, but I have. I look back every day and think about how it felt to be “in the closet.” I look back and wonder if I could have lived one more day walking through that minefield, strapped to that chair, lying on that chamber floor. I look back and I pray that no one else would have to spend one more day there either. Zachary Phillips can be reached at

opinioneditor@theorion.com or @ZachSPhillips on Twitter.

Men shouldn’t suffer for sins of their forefathers Matt Murphy

Opinion Columnist Men are in trouble. Serious trouble. To riff on a bit by the great Jerry Seinfeld, our organization has seen better days. Ever since Adam went rogue and ate that dumb piece of fruit, we’ve been playing catch up. We are in a perpetual state of damage control. Women can partially relate to this ever since the Sarah Palin debacle. However long ago these transgressions occurred, current members in good standing are still apologizing. Frankly, in many cases, this is justified. It’s unfortunate, but the majority of terrible events in history were overseen or orchestrated by men. Behind every terrible war are men who set its deadly wheels in motion. Behind every oppression, suppression and regression are men too closed-minded and petty to acknowledge progress. What we really need is a public relations

overhaul. Because all joking aside, members of our organization have made some egregious errors in judgment in the course of our history. It’s a fact that I have found difficult and exhausting to deal with. I can’t speak for all of my fellow fellows, but I’m getting tired of having to apologize for people and behavior that I had nothing to do with. I, too, have made errors. I missed the meeting where Carrot Top was discussed. I was sick the day man purses, or “murses,” were approved. Regrettable, to say the least. For many men though, this is the extent of our guilt. I implore women, on behalf of a new order of man, one more enlightened than the previous: please do not blame us for our predecessors’ mistakes. We are just as disgusted by them as everyone else is. I do not ask for women’s forgiveness; only that when exclaiming, “Ugh, men!” they stop to consider the men they know, not just the ones they’ve read about. Matt Murphy can be reached at

opinion@theorion.com or @mattmurphy93 on Twitter.

Talking Point

Rachel Dugo/ The Orion

Comments of the week

The Orion file photo

Associated Students is interviewing new candidates to replace former Executive Vice President Kory Masen after his resignation. Chico State students voted Masen into office, and they should have a say in who fills his spot. It doesn’t make sense that A.S. is being so secretive about filling an elected position.

In response to the news article, “A.S. to build bronze wildcat statue” by Madison Holmes: “Since the article mentions we are wildcats 24/7 the university ought to sponsor free tattoos of wildcats for all students and alumni. This way the wildcat can be displayed all over the world.” -ZackZee on theorion.com

In response to the opinion column “Sitting with strangers is an unnecessary evil” by Megan Mann: “I can respect the need for solitude, but since table space is limited perhaps it would be conscientious of you to choose a smaller table, one not meant to accommodate four people” -Tracy F. Baby on theorion.com

A8 | Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014 | advertisements

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