Daily Titan: Thursday, May 6, 2010

Page 1

May 6 , 2010

Vol. 87 Issue 41

O.C. outcasts The Dirty Heads surf their way to success

THURSDAY

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

Holocaust to be questioned at TSU today

Rollingstones best reggae rockers invite Daily Titan to ‘check the level’ in an exclusive on-bus interview SOUND-OFF, Page 7

Arnold aims higher

As the Master Plan for Higher Education turns 50, Gov. Schwarzenegger vows veto any budget excluding increased education funding

By Michael Arellano and Christine Amarantus Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

The founder of the Committee for Open Debate on the Holocaust is scheduled to speak in the Titan Student Union’s Alvarado AB at 2 p.m. today. Bradley Smith, whose organization contends that the Holocaust did not occur, will talk about what he calls “forbidden topics within student journalism.” Smith has a history of causing controversy on university campuses across the United States. In February of this year, the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s student newspaper was met with strong opposition when they ran an online advertisement purchased by Smith. “Some members of Madison’s Jewish community, and others, are outraged that the Herald would give this infamous denier a platform to spew his veiled anti-Semitism,” said Nick Penzenstadler, the UW paper’s publisher. A self-proclaimed “Holocaust revisionist,” Smith argues the Nazi gas chambers did not exist and spoke at the 2006 Holocaust conference hosted by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran, Iran. “Well, I don’t have an ideology,” Smith said. “Essentially, I’m encouraging a free exchange of ideas about a taboo question.” CSUF’s Hillel club adviser Mark Filowitz commented on Smith’s coming to campus.

photo courtesy MCT Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger promised April 27, to veto any budget that does not dedicate an increase in funds for the University of California and California State University systems.

By Melissa Maldonado

See SMITH, Page 2

Supreme Court to rule on discrimination

Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Master Plan for Higher Education and, since January, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been proposing reforms to the plan to improve the state of the University of California and California State University systems. Schwarzenegger most recent act was a statement he made at a briefing in honor of the 50th anniversary that he will veto any budget that does not include increased funding for the UC and CSU systems. The briefing, which discussed the Master Plan for Higher Education, which establishes admission guidelines for the UC and CSU systems, the Republican governor was given the chance to share his turnaround proposal to re-

store almost $2 billion in funding for the state’s colleges and universities. “If the governor is successful in getting his recommendations for funding CSU and UC through the legislature, it would mean approximately $305 million in funding returned to the CSU system as a whole,” said Vice President for Administration and Finance Willie Hagan. “Past allocation patterns suggest that CSUF’s share of this would be approximately $21 million.” The state’s economy forced massive budget cuts felt on every campus. Student fees went up 15 percent, campus employees were required to take furlough days and class offerings were dramatically reduced. “These funds would come with the requirement that we provide additional access to students,” Hagan said. “It would definitely have an impact on class offerings and other university pro-

grams. It is likely that return of these funds would mitigate the current plan for the system to increase student fees, although that is a Board of Trustees decision. As far as furloughs go, the chancellor has instructed the campuses to develop budget plans that do not include furloughs beyond the end of this fiscal year. I do not foresee furloughs being continued beyond June 30.” The briefing also presented other recommendations to the Master Plan, including raising the percentage of instate high school students qualified for enrollment into California state schools and universities. A report by the Public Policy Institute of California stated that “current levels of college enrollment and completion are insufficient for the challenges of the 21st century.” The report hopes the increase in admission will boost graduation rates.

“I would anticipate an increase in the number of students admitted to UC and CSU schools,” said Robert Mead, professor of macroeconomics and international economics. “Higher education is important to future economic growth in the state, but it needs to be paid for.” The Master Plan instructs UC campuses to accept the top 12.5 percent of high school graduates. CSUs are recommended to admit the top 33.3 percent. The nonprofit institute said the systems should increase their numbers to the top 15 percent for UC schools and top 40 percent for state schools by 2025. The study did acknowledge the fact that the proposal will encounter financial obstacles, considering the universities are cutting enrollments because of the budget crisis. See BUDGET, Page 2

Prodigal progeny promises to keep it real By Melissa Hoon

Daily Titan Asst. Opinion Editor sound-off@dailytitan.com

photo By Christa Connelly/Daily Titan Photo Editor Gay rights activist John Fowlkes attends rallies and protests as often as he can where he lets his voice be heard for homosexuals to have the same rights as everyone else.

By Serena Whitecotton Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

Cal State Fullerton and other public universities could be affected by a Supreme Court decision that is due to be made before the court breaks for summer. The case in question is Christian Legal Society v. Martinez, in which the court will decide if schools can deny taxpayer subsities to clubs that exlude certain groups of people – in this case, the gay community. CSUF has had some similar issues before but was able to correct the problem because of its anti-discriminatory clause. “We did have some Christian organizations that had tried to gain recognition without a non-discriminatory clause, but they didn’t go as far as submitting the recognition (like the Christian Legal Society),” said Esquio Uballe, associate dean of student life. See SUPREME COURT, Page 3

Expectations are usually set high by those in the audience who have never seen Lukas and his band, Promise of the Real, perform. After all, Lukas is Willie Nelson’s son. But just like Romeo had Juliet at “hello,” Lukas Nelson and his band never fail to have the audience forever captivated after they play their first note. By the end of their first song, most of the audience forgets Lukas is part of Willie’s family tree. “If Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix had a love child, it would be Lukas,” said Josh Gayou, 31, of Lake Elsinore, who has seen Lukas perform several times, most recently at the Weins Winery in Temecula on March 26. “Lukas stays true to all that came before him, but brings it to (his fans) in a new way.” Nelson, 21, was born in Austin, Texas, and grew up in Maui, Hawaii. Considering his diverse background, he has been influenced by blues, rock and roll, jazz, country and even reggae. He moved to California for college and studied music

photo By Melissa HOon/Daily Titan Asst. Opinion Editor Lukas Nelson performs with his band, Promise of the Real, March 26 at Weins Winery in Temecula. POTR played covers and songs from their EP, ‘Brando’s Paradise Sessions.’

at Loyola Marymount, but dropped out after a year and a half when he decided he no longer wanted to study music. He just wanted to play music. So he did just that. Soon after he decided his college career was over, Lukas met drummer Anthony LoGerfo, 27, at a Neil Young concert. They formed POTR in Janu-

ary 2009 and almost immediately began touring with B.B. King, Dave Matthews and Willie Nelson. “I’ve learned humility (from my dad),” Lukas said. “He treats his fans very well and is very grounded for how well known he is.” POTR has soaked up more than just humility from the legends they’re surrounded

by. They’ve combined what they’ve learned with their own raw talent to put on one hell of a show. At the Weins Winery concert, POTR played their hearts out through six songs before taking a break to speak to their audience. “How’re you all doing?” Lukas finally asked with a huge grin in between heavy

pants. “I haven’t talked to you all night. I’ve just been busy playing music.” The audience didn’t seem to mind. For an hour and a half, POTR performed songs from their EP, Brando’s Paradise Sessions, and covers from artists like Bob Dylan. The audience went from being in awe to cheering madly as Lukas writhed on the floor playing his electric guitar, then stood up to play his guitar with his teeth. “It’s as if Lukas has been possessed by a spirit when his eyes roll back in his head as he plays,” Gayou said. “It’s unreal to watch.” Gayou’s wife, Jennifer, 30, agreed. “It’s unreal to watch (Lukas perform). You can actually feel his music with him when he plays,” she said. Although POTR performs like veteran rock stars and they have some of the world’s best musical talent at their fingertips to learn from, they nonetheless remain friendly, humble and down-to-earth. They usualy sign autographs, and chat and pose for photos with fans after performances at their merchandise booth. See NELSON, Page 7


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