C A L I F O R N I A
S T A T E
U N I V E R S I T Y ,
F U L L E R T O N
INSIDE
4
Student helps bring medical assistance to the needy in Honduras
n NEWS: Overcrowding is becoming more of a concern with students
n SPORTS: America’s national pastime 7 returns with new sense of patriotism
—see Perspectives page 4
W E D N E S D AY
Vo l u m e 7 3 , I s s u e 8
S e p te m be r 1 9 , 2 0 0 1
Students gather at
nREMEMBRANCE: Candlelight ceremony unites university to pay tribute to lost friends and family By Rita Freeman
Daily Titan Asst. News Editor A week after last Tuesday’s terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington D.C., students and faculty gathered in a candlelight vigil to honor those lost in the tragedy. More than 100 people attended the vigil and offered their condolences at the Memorial Grove, behind the Library. “With the time we had to prepare, I was not sure of the turnout,” said Associated Students Vice President Edgar Zazueta. “But I’m pretty happy with it.” A condolence banner lay on the ground for students to sign. By the
end of the vigil, most of the paper was full. During the 45-minute vigil, every one focused on the speakers talking about how the disaster has affected them. Topics included not condemning any ethnicities and religions, a prayer for peace and the unity among all the students. Sheryl Ross, an alumna of the university and one of the speakers, said by attending the event she felt calmer. “With so much support from every one here, I feel calmer than I have been this whole week,” Ross said. Vice President of Student Affairs Robert Palmer said that the university was like a family that came
Muslim leader offers
together to express emotions. “This is a tragedy that affects all the family,” Palmer said. “We have to come together, console, and show support for each other. We also have to show mutual respect for those who have been lost in the tragedy.” As the sky became darker, every one lit a candle and held a moment of silence. Tears fell from a few faces, while two women held the American flag and every one sang “God Bless America.” After the ceremony, several people stayed and talked to one another. Around 22 members from the sorority Alpha Delta Pi, gathered in a circle to commemorate the life of an
alumna from another chapter who was killed in one of the plane crashes. They sang the hymn “Follow Me” and said a prayer for people who passed away. After the forum last Wednesday, students visited the AS office and suggested the idea of a more formal ceremony. Zazueta said that this gave people time to reflect. AS President Alex Lopez, said that it was a little challenging to get people to come since it was the end of the day. “They still had the passion to come out and support,” Lopez said. “The personal feelings and emotions
VIGIL/ 3
CHRIS TENNYSON/Daily Titan
Alpha Delta Pi sorority sisters sing “Follow Me” after the vigil.
New major passed
Get Off the Grass!!!
nNATION: CSUF Professor was invited by the White House to join in a televised address By Amy Rottier
Daily Titan News Editor A minute-and-a-half prayer cannot encompass all that needs to be reflected upon during a national crisis. But in that minute-and-a-half, Muzammil H. Siddiqui managed to strike down evil, profess faith in good and offer comfort to the victims of loss in the aftermath of the world’s worst act of terrorism. Doubling as Cal State Fullerton comparative religion professor and director of the Islamic Society of Orange County, Siddiqui was already in Washington when the White House extended him an invitation to contribute in the national prayer held on Friday. In the short amount of time he was allotted, Siddiqui focused on two passages of the Koran. “God doesn’t accept evil, evil will be punished,” he said, referring to one passage. Using a second passage, Siddiqui explained that good and evil are not equal. Evil must be removed to create more love in society. Back in Fullerton, after Friday’s ceremony, Siddiqui said he wished that time allowed him to credit the people who are dedicating themselves to helping, especially the firefighters. While Siddiqui was offering words of peace and comfort, backlashes against people of his religion continued popping up across the world. The Council on American-IslamicRelations verified at least 350 attacks and threats since Sept. 11. A man in Mesa, AZ. was accused of shooting and killing a Sikh owner of a Chevron station on Saturday afternoon and then firing at a Lebanese Mobil clerk 20 minutes later, according to a recent New York Times article. A 26-year-old Indian Calcutta was
TITAN
extras online n
Check out the Daily Titan online this year at http:// dailytitan.fullerton.edu.
u p co m i n g n
Check out The Daily Titan Special Issue on Diversity coming towards the end of September!
stabbed with a screwdriver in New York because he was mistaken for an Arab, according to an Asian American Journalist Association online report. Ignorance and wrong generalizations are the source of harassment against Islamic people, Siddiqui said. “People do not know much about Islam and Muslims. Every little or big mistake becomes the mistake of all Muslims,” he said. When Christians burn down abortion clinics, the act is not attributed to religion because people understand Christianity, he explained. “If there is an Irish-Catholic terrorist act in Ireland, Catholics are not attacked,” he said. As an act of protection, some organizations suggest that Muslims do not make themselves as noticeable. But Siddiqui said the Islamic Society of Orange County advises Muslims to carry on as normal. Any harassment should be reported immediately. “There have been some incidents around the country,” he said. “But a lot of people have come out to support and help, especially the law enforcement.” Contrary to some Western belief that Islam is a religion of the sword, Muslims practice a peaceful religion. They receive favor from God only through piety and virtue, the Islamic Server of MSA-USC states. “Islam stands for peace, harmony and noble ideas for millions and millions of people,” Siddiqui said. “We value honesty, good family and purity of life.” Siddiqui tries to educate people through the three courses he teaches at CSUF on the Islam religion. He said it is very important to give information to young people so they can understand the true values. “[Values] play a very important role in human life and it is very important that people understand the role,” he said.
nCAMPUS: Students will be able to graduate in Radio-TV-Film through the College of Communications By Deena Anderson Daily Titan Staff Writer
CHRIS TENNYSON/Daily Titan
CSUF may soon offer a new RadioTV-Film major within the College of Communications. The University Affairs Committee meeting approved the resolution, and was presented to the AS Tuesday. The committee passed the plan unanimously. The University has been trying to create a major in Radio-TV-Film instead of a major in communications with an emphasis in TV-Film. Radio classes will now be added to the major, and will allow students to utilize specialists in the industry. Author of the resolution and former AS board member Vincent Amaya, addressed several questions about the department, enabling students to major in this new field. AS board member Alphonso McAuley asked about specific aspects, and concerns students may have regarding requirements needed to complete this major. “When do you think students will be able to graduate, and what course requirements are needed?” McAuley asked. “Students will be able to graduate with this major in Spring 2002, Amaya said. There will be three separate departments for this major,
A sign notifying of parking availability was switched Monday creating some uneasy moments.
MAJOR/ 5
Job fair supplemented with workshop, Web
nOPPORTUNITY: More than 150 potential employers will overtake the Quad to interview students seeking entry-level positions By Amy Adams
Daily Titan Staff Writer The Student Affairs Career Planning & Placement Center and Academic Affairs Center for Internships will partner together for their second year in a row to present the Annual Internship and Job Fair. Over 150 private businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies will make their presence known in the Quad from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for this year’s job fair on Wednesday, Sept. 26. “The organizations are looking for full-time, professional positions and internships,” said Michele Powell, associate director of Career Management and College Relations.
Every year for the last decade, the Career Planning Center has been sending e-mails to employers who have recruited students from CSUF, inviting them to participate in the annual job fair. “Organizations that attend the fair are looking for new hires and it’s always a good idea to prepare for this event. Don’t just show up,” said Powell. There are ways to prepare for the event, such as attending the Job Fair Success Workshop or by visiting the Titan Connection Web site. The Titan Connection is a Web-based recruiting system that allows students to view job and internship openings posted by employers who are interested in hiring students from CSUF.
The listing includes a comprehensive record of part-time and full-time internships and on-campus employment opportunities. “This site is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about employment and internship opportunities,” Powell said. “Over ten thousand students are already registered.” The Web site, www.fullerton.edu/ career, also allows students to see which organizations have registered to attend the event and what positions are available within the organization. “By logging onto the Web site, students will have background knowledge on the businesses that will be at the fair,” said Christina Alvarado, coordinator of
http://dailytitan.fullerton.edu
the job fair. “As the fair approaches and more businesses register for the event, the site is updated with new information, daily until Friday, Sept. 21.” The Job Fair Success Workshop is an opportunity to learn how to make a good impression at the fair. Employers will be there to advise students on their resumes and to illustrate how to approach employers at the job fair. “This event can be very intimidating, and this workshop is really the best approach for a student who is planning to attend the fair,” Powell said. Many of the employers at the event will offer internships to students as a way to see their potential and their abilities. “It is not unusual to hear about a
student, who did an impressive job as an intern, get offered a permanent job upon graduation,” said Sally Cardenas, director of the Center for Internships & Cooperative Education. Student clubs and organization members are invited to volunteer as student ambassadors for the job fair.Ambassadors will help set up and greet employers, provide students with information and directions, and have an opportunity to interact with the company representatives. The Job Fair Success workshop will be on Monday, Sept. 17 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Heterbrink A/B.