Vol. 89 Issue 17
March 3, 2011
From bullying to lead singer of Suffokate .........................................6
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dailytitan.com The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton
In defense of higher education
Passionate protesters demonstrate throughout the day rallying against California budget cuts
Renowned professor discusses the importance of examining American culture
FLOR EDWARDS Daily Titan
Students united in front of the Humanities Building for the Teach in Rally Wednesday. The rally was a follow-up to the state-wide demonstrations held last year on March 4 throughout university and college campuses after massive layoffs, furloughs and budget cuts dented CSU campuses. According to the press release from the “Defend Education” movement, the California State University has lost some $1 billion, laid off 3,000 faculty, slashed course offerings and tripled student fees. Since then, the CSUs are facing more budget cuts, including a possible $500 million in cuts, according to the press release. Amber Ibbs, 19, a psychology major, stepped up to the megaphone during a rally at noon in defense of public education. Her hand shook with apprehension, but after hearing all the other irate students speak she gathered up the courage to let her voice be heard. “I know I’m not the only one who feels this way,” said Ibbs. “What’s a psychology degree going to get me these days? Nothing. A teacher’s salary isn’t enough for someone to live on.” Ibbs knows what a teacher’s salary is like. Her mother is a first grade teacher. She has to buy all the educational material for her classroom. Ibbs doesn’t get financial aid because even on a teacher’s salary her moth-
WHAT’S INSIDE NEWS Student journalists go abroad to Vietnam ............................... 2 OPINION Frisk Me: Sex leads to a baby .......................................4 FEATURES Downtown Fullerton Art Walk celebrates one year ........................................6 SPORTS Softball returns home for opening series ........................................8
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Analyzing American studies
JEANETTE CASTANEDA Daily Titan
FLOR EDWARDS / Daily Titan English and philosophy major Brian Norton makes his voice heard at a rally to defend public education held Wednesday at noon in front of the Humanities Building.
er still makes “too much money.” “My family has to make car payments, pay bills and the stupid government stole our house from us.” Steven Jobbitt, assistant professor of history at Cal State Fullerton, helped coordinate the rally along with a series of weekly We! workshops that will be held every
Wednesday until the end of the semester. “The Teach in is intended to raise awareness about the current crisis in public education in this state and throughout the country,” said Jobbitt. “But more than this, it is to show that we, as Cal State Fullerton students and professors, stand in
solidarity with people fighting for democracy and social justice.” History professors, students, faculty members and bystanders gathered around the event held by We! to raise awareness for defense of public education. “We came together on Wednesday to show quite simply that we
care,” Jobbitt said. “We refuse to remain silent anymore about these and other issues of social, global, environmental and educational justice.” See PROTEST, page 2
World-renowned American studies scholar George Lipsitz opened with inspiring words Wednesday during his visit to Cal State Fullerton. “Today we meet under conditions where the world seems to be falling apart,” he said. His lecture, titled “Midnight at the Barrelhouse: Why American Studies Matters Now,” discussed how American studies encompasses all issues cultural or otherwise. Issues such as fee increases, rise in crime, environmental conditions and economic structure are all reasons why American studies is important, Lipsitz said in his lecture. “His lecture on why American studies matters is an important question not just for our department, but for any member of American culture who is interested in where our culture is headed and how to critically examine what is going on,” said Carrie Lane, a professor of American studies. The lecture, held in the TSU Pavilion and organized by the American Studies Student Association, featured a decent turnout of faculty and students alike. Professor Lipsitz, a professor of black studies at UC Santa Barbara, was chosen by popular demand on behalf of the students in the program. See LIPSITZ, page 2
Students airing on Titan Radio Broadcast program brings priceless experience JESSICA DRUCK Daily Titan
Switchboards light up, microphones are checked, notes are skimmed over and headphones are put on as Daniel Valenzuela and Natalie Bonilla prepare themselves to go on air at Titan Internet Radio. “Jungle Boogie” plays as they introduce their radio show “Phat Leche,” a mix of funk and world music, every Wednesday afternoon for the Cal State Fullerton community. “Phat Leche” is one of many shows put on by the CSUF community this
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spring. Titan Radio provides an outlet for CSUF students with an interest in radio broadcast and production, allowing them to volunteer at the station and work behind the scenes or DJ their own show. Students can submit ideas they have for a show the first four weeks of the semester before management approves them and puts them on air. CSUF currently airs a wide range of music, sports and talk shows online Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Michael Klein, 22, a radio-TV-film major at CSUF and general manager for Titan Radio, believes this is one of the best opportunities for anyone who has an interest in radio. “It’s a great starting point,” said Klein. “With internships at radio stations, you get coffee, you push buttons all day or you just listen to shows and press ‘beep’ when they say a bad word; you don’t get actual hands-on experience of being a broadcaster, a director or a general manager, which is what you can get at Titan Radio.” The hands-on experience students receive at the station is one of the best things volunteers walk away with. Jonathan Rushing, 22, a radio-TVfilm major at CSUF who has been airing a comedy show, “The David and Rush Show,” for four semesters, said working with Titan Radio gave him an edge in his broadcast classes and opened his eyes to the industry, an experience he wouldn’t have gotten if he didn’t volunteer. See RADIO, page 5
JONATHAN GIBBY / Daily Titan Sophomore shortstop Richy Pedroza slides into third base. Pedroza ripped two of the Titans’ six hits, including one hit for an RBI, in the victory.
Baseball snaps Lions’ winning streak The Titans hold LMU to four hits for their third straight victory WESLEY RUSCHER Daily Titan
Under the illumination of the brand new video display board in left field Tuesday night, the No. 7 Cal State Fullerton baseball team defeated the Lions of Loyola Marymount University, 5-1, in non-conference play. Right-handed junior Jake Floethe (1-0) earned his first victory of the year, holding LMU to just one run on three hits in seven innings of work. “It was a good team effort out there,” said Floethe. “We brought out a lot of new guys to get some ABs (atbats) in. It felt good to a W under the belt.” The Titans didn’t wait long to get their bats going against LMU. Leading off in the first inning, Titan sophomore Richy Pedroza roped a shot into left field for a stand-up double.
“He wasn’t throwing so hard,” said Pedroza, referring to LMU pitcher John Lally. “He ended up throwing me a change-up, and I kept my hands back and ended up driving it down the line.” After moving over to third on a sacrifice, Pedroza came in to score when junior designated hitter Blake Barber dropped down a sacrifice bunt. The Titans added another run in the inning when junior Anthony Trajano, who had reached on a fielder’s choice earlier, scored when the throw to catch him stealing at third flew into left field. The Titans increased their lead to 3-0 in the second when Trajano hit a comebacker up the middle to drive in sophomore left fielder Ivory Thomas. Thomas got the Titan offensive started in the inning with a one-out double. See TITANS, page 8