Vol. 87 Issue 3
February 8, 2010
MONDAY DAY
Who Dat?!
PAGE 8
The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton
‘They killed my dream’
Performing arts majors protested the decision to decrease Cal State Fullerton’s world acclaimed Classical Guitar Program
DT Highlights Miss Fullerton crown passed in annual pageant
PhoTo By alison Munson/daily Titan staff Writer Gabby Marco wins a $500 scholarship and the Miss Fullerton crown.
PhoTo By nick Marley /daily Titan staff Photographer Classical guitar major Stephen Laughlin protests the recent decision to reduce the number of classical guitar majors Thursday in the Quad with fellow performing arts students.
By ZaM anWar
Daily Titan News Editor news@dailytitan.com
Students enrolled in Cal State Fullerton’s Classical Guitar Program held a demonstration Thursday in front of the Performing Arts Center in response to a recently passed motion that will scale back the acclaimed program. Professor David Grimes, director of guitar studies, said that the proposal, passed by full-time faculty in the music department, would eliminate core guitar classes, reduce the guitar studio to a
maximum of eight to ten students from a maximum of 25 to 30, cut the guitar pedagogy and fingerboard theory classes, consider to merge guitar chamber ensembles into guitar orchestra and put guitar orchestra and guitar workshop on the chair’s load. Students at the demonstration displayed colorful posters, called out to bystanders and handed out leaflets in an attempt to create awareness and gain support. The 20-some-odd students, joined by a few faculty members and a couple of graduates of the program, said that most
of them were rallying to protect not just the future of the program, but also the future of incoming students. Grimes has been developing the classical guitar program for over 30 years. He said that the music department’s budget had to be cut substantially because of the university’s reduced fund allocation from the state. Since part-time instructors who are paid out of the part-time portion of the department’s budget do all of the current guitar teaching, Grimes said this meant the guitar area did not have direct representation in the faculty meetings where the budget cuts were being discussed.
“This is devastating to one of the school’s very strong programs, and it is a great tragedy for the many students whose educational goals were centered around our guitar program,” Grimes said. He went on to note that he did not question the motives of the music faculty in choosing to cut the guitar program, as other choices would surely have been equally difficult. He added that since he cannot request the department to revoke its decision, the next step would be to lay the groundwork for a fundraising camSee GUITAR, Page 3
50-year-old frat oldest in county By Melissa Maldonado
Daily Titan News Editor news@dailytitan.com
It was the era of the Kennedy presidency, non-violent racial protests, psychedelic rock music and possible U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. At the same time, a little campus in Orange County welcomed its first fraternity. In 1960, the fraternity obtained a charter from Orange County State College, now Cal State Fullerton, administration and called themselves Sigma Phi Omega. The men quickly became active in campus activities, including varsity sports, toga parties and pioneered the first el-
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ephant races in ’63, which made the Associated Press’ top-10 stories of 1962 and the OC Register’s “Most Memorable Millennium Moments.” By 1965, the “Sigs” had been approached by numerous national houses who expressed interest in colonizing at the campus. After intense reviews, the men unanimously voted to join Phi Kappa Tau based on their similar principles, diversities and values. Toward the end of the decade, the men bought the famous barn from another fraternity, Phi Sigma Kappa, a product of a recent division within the chapter. Events such as the Mud Bowl, Roaring ’20s party and Sweetheart Ball attracted people from all over Southern CaliforSee BARN, Page 4
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PhoTo By nick Marley /daily Titan staff Photographer The Barn, a CSUF landmark, is located on the corner of Yorba Linda Blvd. and State College Blvd.
Do you depend on public transportation to get to work or school? NO - 64% -
A new Miss Fullerton was crowned Saturday night as part of an annual scholarship program. Gabby Marco, 18, received the crown from last year’s winner, Hayley Toler. The event was hosted by Laura Holliman, Miss Fullerton 2007 and Lexy Romano, Miss Fullerton 2008. A backstage interview, on-stage questioning, lifestyle and fitness, and a beauty pageant decided who would take the crown. Held before a packed Fullerton College Theatre, the contests solicited roaring applause from family and friends. The 2010 Miss Fullerton Princesses also performed a choreographed dance to “Grease Lightning” on a stage decorated in the 1950s theme, “Let’s Go to the Hop.” Full Story on NEWS, Page 2
Titans fail to move up in Big West standings The Cal State Fullerton men’s basketball team defeated Long Beach State 8175 in an overtime thriller Thursday at Walter Pyramid. The Titans swept the 49ers - who were the pre-season No.1 team in the Big West - in a hard fought game that was televised nationally on ESPNU. Senior guard Aaron Thompson took over in the extra period by scoring 10 points. However, after their confidence boosting win, they gave a lackluster effort against UC RivPhoTo By chad ueMera/For the daily Titan erside Saturday Redshirt junior center Bryce Webster goes at Titan Gym. up for a dunk against Long Beach State. The last place Highlanders did not have much to lose and they came out with more energy than the Titans. UCR led wire-to-wire and CSUF could never gain any momentum. As big of a win as LBSU was, the loss against UCR was just as big.
MULTIMEDIA
Miss Fullerton 2010
For the full multimedia experience of the 2010 Miss Fullerton Pageant, visit DailyTitan.com/ MissFullerton2010
YES - 25% Occasionally - 11% courTesy Flickr/JenniFer donely
Full Story on SPORTS, Page 8
Index
News ............................ page 2,3 Campus Life ..................... page 4 Opinion ............................ page 5 Classifieds ........................ page 7 Sports .......................... page 6, 8
Today’s Weather high: 63° low: 45° sunny