Brett Thomas Brett James Thomas is a third generation Los Angeles native. He moved to San Francisco in July of 2011. Brett is currently enrolled in the Urban Planning and Studies major at San Francisco State University. Brett’s focus of study has centered on transportation planning and land use. He has taken several architecture and design classes prior to enrollment at SFSU and plans to continue his education by enrolling in an Urban Design Graduate Program, after his graduation in May of 2013. Brett believes that one of San Francisco’s strongest attributes is the ease of access to opportunity sites the City’s residents enjoy. The N-Judah is a major factor of this ease of access for many residents, but has reached its functional limit. Along with a brief history of the line, Brett’s paper explores the reasons for reaching this limit and what can be done to correct the situation.
Chris Morris Coming of age as a ward of the state, and being moved from city to city, I was acutely aware of the governing bodies that dictated my life as a youth. I was consistently reminded through my state appointed relationships how my opportunities and limitations were set by the powers that be. Grateful for the assistance received at times and disconcerted by the lack of appropriations at others, I began to realize how the formulation of policy in another location, by people whom I had never met, shaped not only my life but scores of others. Unable to articulate my world-view and becoming increasingly frustrated as to what or how I could use this experience, I settled on simply furthering my education. Discovering the urban studies and planning major offered at San Francisco State University, I felt as though I was chosen rather than having chosen it. Upon graduation I plan on using my experience and skill to begin a career in policy analysis that will better inform those who formulate policy. The piece, Occupy: The Backlash to Voter Disenfranchisement is merely another reflection of my passion for those who struggle to be engaged, and the forces that create those impasses.
T. Michael Liles T. Michael Liles is an urban studies and planning student, a published author and a periodicals aficionado at San Francisco State University. He is currently working with the American Planning Association California Chapter Northern Section Sustainability Committee to create a learning and practice network for city planners who are interested in sustainability planning. Dedicated to education and equity, he worked as a coordinator for the Book Loan Program at City College of San Francisco and has worked with Equality California to help achieve equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. Although Michael has lived in several states (Montana, Utah, Washington and New York), he calls California his home. In his spare time, he enjoys contemplating the mysteries of the universe and drinking coffee.
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