THURSDAY, M ARCH 6, 2014
Volume 95, Issue 21
Bike thefts nearly halved Studies of trends and hotspots may have contributed ASHLEN DOMINGUEZ Daily Titan
In 2013 there were only 69 reported incidents of bike theft on campus, a 44 percent decrease from 2012, according to recently-released crime statistics from the Cal State Fullerton University Police. While the reports indicate a big improvement, the numbers are still double what they were in 2009. University Police officers are actively working to decrease these numbers as much as possible. Throughout 2013, officers studied the trends and hotspots with the most theft and used that information to help prevent more incidents. Capt. John Brockie said directing patrol units to needed areas, as well as security cameras, have helped to reduce the number of thefts. He advises students to be careful when using their bikes and take every precaution to keep it safe while locked up and to also be aware of the features on your. Wheels are are easily stolen and need to be locked along with the frame. “Use a quality lock. I recommend a metal ‘U’ type lock,” Brockie said. “Cables and chains are generally easy to defeat.” Brockie said University Police has a plan of action to continue to lower the number of bike thefts. The housing area, which previously had the highest number of incidents than anywhere else on campus, is now home to the University Police’s Crime Prevention Unit. “This gives us a permanent home in Housing which will increase the police presence,” Brockie said. “Coupled with our campaign to increase the bicycle registration program, we think bike theft will be reduced in Housing.” Despite the number of bike thefts in previous years, some students still seem to feel safe leaving their bikes on campus. Cameron Hernandez, a psychology major, said he rides his bike to class every day, even for his evening classes. Hernandez uses two separate locks to ensure the frame and tires are properly secured. “I still ride my bike just so I don’t have to park,” he said. SEE BIKES, 2
MARIAH CARRILLO / Daily Titan Kiran George, an associate professor of computer engineering at Cal State Fullerton, assists Micheal Vavro, 28, a junior majoring in computer science, with a robotic arm on Feb. 27. The device moves the wearer’s arm and hand through facial expressions.
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Working science fiction Team uses robotic system to mimic movement of arm CYNTHIA WASHICKO Daily Titan
Bands of black plastic and velcro encase the student’s arm as multicolored wires swirl down to small silver clamps around his fingertips. A matching band wraps around the back of his head and extends plastic tentacles across his forehead. The entire system was developed with a deceptively simple function in mind: to
robotically move the wearer’s arm and hand. Although this initially seems like a scene straight from a science fiction show, it is the result of months of work done by a group of students at Cal State Fullerton. As Micheal Vavro, a junior computer science major, opens and closes his hand, he showcases the culmination of that work. Vavro said the device recognizes brain waves created when a person looks at a certain stimulus and utilizes those to move the robotic arm. “(We) can use this natural phenomenon that occurs
in your brain as a way to understand when you’re looking at that stimuli and we can use that to control anything,” Vavro said. “The whole heart of it is the fact that we’re taking advantage of those phenomena to understand what’s going on in your brain and then use that to make a movement.” While the device seems like a well-oiled machine now, it has taken almost a year of planning and prototypes to make it complete. The team started working on the robotic arm during the summer of 2013. The initial planning, Vavro said, had much to do with finding the right
control technique. “There are so many ways to extract a small signal, the one that you’re looking for, that needle in the haystack, from all of that hay,” Vavro said. “With several ways to do that, it’s a matter of figuring out which way you want to do it.” As it currently functions, the system uses facial expressions from the user to function the arm, said Hayden Donze, a senior computer science major. While this system works, he said, it’s one that requires training, which makes it difficult for a new wearer to use the arm right out of the box.
Moving forward, he said the team is working to implement a system called Steady State Visually Evoked Potentials (SS VEP). This particular system requires the user to focus on a flashing light to move the arm, rather than relying on more subjective facial expressions. “(SS VEP) doesn’t require any training; it makes the arm far more robust,” Donze said. The change to a more universal system is not the only improvement in the works either. SEE ROBOT, 5
Advocating for a cause Titans use long ball to down Antelopes
Jocelyn Rierson is the CSUF Autism Speaks U president
Three jacks propels CSUF to a win in a high scoring affair
NICOLE WEAVER Daily Titan
At a young age, Jocelyn Rierson knew what she wanted to do with her life. Her devotion to children and adults with disabilities began after stepping onto a basketball court with Shooting Stars for the first time. Shooting Stars is an inclusive program designed for children and adults ages 5 to 22 with a variety of disabilities, including autism, Down syndrome and other physical and mental disabilities. They learn how to play basketball in a fun, non-competitive environment. It was also the program that grounded her in working with those affected by autism and eventually led her to become the president of Cal State Fullerton Autism Speaks U chapter. “I fell in love with the program,” Rierson said. “I ended up doing the whole
MICHAEL HUNTLEY Daily Titan
Courtesy of CSUF Autism Speaks U Members volunteer their time by organizing events on campus for the Cal State Fullerton Autism Speaks U chapter.
season and I went back every year since then.” Rierson, a child and adolescent studies major, was paired with a 6-yearold boy named Travis who was completely non-verbal. He hated the sun and had a tendency to bite his fingers extremely hard. She said the first season was chaotic. “If the sun was shining, it creates lights on the ground, and he didn’t like that so he would take off; he didn’t like that so he
would run,” Rierson said. Non-verbal cues, hand gestures and consistently motivating him for snacktime after basketball practice got her through the first couple weeks until he began to talk to her. Rierson said you eventually learn to communicate to them without actually talking. Four years later, Rierson is still Travis’ biggest fan.
INSIDE FOOD CHALLENGE Peer Health University Network hosts threeweek food and photography contest NEWS 2 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @DAILY_TITAN
SEE AUTISM, 5
The Cal State Fullerton softball team defeated Grand Canyon University 9-7 Wednesday night in a thriller at Anderson Family Field. Wednesday was the Titans’ second game of an absolute grind of a homestand in which they play seven games in just five days. The Titans (13-7) hoped to build off of their win over Loyola of Illinois on Tuesday where sophomore center fielder Paige Kisling hit a walkoff single for a 3-2 win. Sophomore Jasmine Antunez started the game in the circle for the Titans. In the first inning, she allowed a two-out solo home run to junior shortstop Kelsey Barak, the sixth she’s allowed this season. The Titans answered in
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07 the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore third baseman Missy Taukeiaho led off the inning with a single and then stole second. After advancing to third on a fielders choice by senior catcher Ariel Tsuchiyama, she scored on a single by sophomore Eliza Crawford. Antunez powered through the second inning and didn’t allow a baserunner. The Titans failed to capitalize in the bottom of the second. Senior left fielder Lauren Mario reached base on an error by senior third baseman Stephanie Smith. SEE SOFTBALL, 8
HAPA CUPCAKES CSUF graduates sell alcohol-infused treats at new downtown Fullerton location FEATURES 5 VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM