Daily Titan: Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Tuesday December 8, 2009 Since 1960 Volume 85, Issue 46

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

INSIDE DT

FEATURES:

Seeing Europe doesn’t have to destroy your savings, Page 3

SIGNS OF THE SEASON Carpeted with leaves, the Quad’s leaf litter paves the way for winter

New app saves time and money OPINION:

Not all professors grade the same way, Page 4

SPORTS:

Women’s basketball fails to rally against Toreros, Page 6

news@dailytitan.com

BigWords.com has updated its iPhone application that is due to come out soon. The application will allow students to access beneficiary aspects of Bigwords such as comparing prices of school books and other great deals as well as help students sell textbooks. This will help students save close to $225 on multiple book orders or at least earn a 75 percent buyback rate.

Purchasing college textbooks has never been a pleasant experience for students since prices tend to be extremely expensive, used copies are hard to find and new versions of textbooks are frequently updated, which makes it more expensive for students to buy and difficult to sell the previous version of the book.

“When it comes to selling back books on campus, there is always an issue. Like one time they said they are no longer using this edition,” said Neha Kamboj, a communications major.

That’s where Bigwords comes in.

BigWords.com is a Web site dedicated to finding the cheapest prices for students and getting the students the most money back when selling their textbook. The site has been around for eight years, and Bigwords already

cess for all students, faculty and staff,” said Janet Eyring, chair of news@dailytitan.com the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.

Mastering a foreign language Crocco echoes Eyring’s open may not be as easy as uno, dos, invitation to all students on camtres, but the Modern Language pus, regardless of major or colMedia Center is available to help lege. make the transition from English “The Modern Language Media to Arabic, Chinese, French, Ger- Center primarily serves students man, Italian, Japanese or Spanish in the Department of Modern easier for any bilingual-curious Languages (and Literatures) but Titan. is open to all students on camWithout having to pay for a pus. We believe that our language private tutor, students can explore resources should be available to a colorful array all students. of languages, Some students either as supplecome in as part mental learning of a language for a related class class, but or for personal many others interest. use it to study “ Cu r re n t l y, or complete – Kyle Crocco, assignments,” we’re opening Media Center director up the lab to the Crocco said. entire campus The lab is so that students functional and can sample a new language or has Internet access and the Titanreinforce an old one,” said Kyle Card printing payment system.

Crocco, Media Center director.

What makes the Modern LanNestled on the third floor of guage Media Center different is the Humanities Building, the lab not only its linguistic library but is comprised of two conjoined that it also helps with most things rooms. The teaching lab has 24 media related. computers, and the student lab is Lab assistant Sagar Sangani, equipped with 16.

21, said students can come to the “The student lab has open acSee LANGUAGE, Page 2

By Nicole F. Park

Daily Titan Staff Writer

“

... students can sample a new language or reinforce a new one.

“

By Cole Garrison

For the Daily Titan

has an application out for those who have an iPhone.

However, the app is about to get new features.

The 1.1 version will allow students to set personal settings when trying to find the best deal and condition of a textbook.

The settings will range from how much they are willing to spend to the quality of the book that they are looking for.

There is also a section in the settings where the user can put what affinity program they belong to, including: Barnes & Noble membership, Amazon Prime, Half.com and others.

“Purchasing multibook orders with us saves students $225 on average,” said Jeff Sherwood, CEO of BigWords.com.

Sherwood recognized the problem of selling college books back when he was a student and decided to help other students. In 1998 he launched Bigwords, first solely as retail, but the company did not do so well.

Sherwood bought the remains of the company and later came up with the current version of Bigwords.

Lab makes learning new language easier

According to the Web site, Bigwords is “bigger, oranger, better looking, and better smelling than any other textbook store.”

The site allows anyone to find the cheapest books. An iPhone is not needed to buy or sell books, but with it a student has the ability to find out if buying a certain college book really is that great of a deal with just a click of a button.

Gallery opens with student ceramics on display chain is connected tightly to each wall with no relaxation in its suspension was Jensen’s goal. news@dailytitan.com Furthermore, the idea of sex and violence in modern day culture was expressed in the exhibit Cal State Fullerton ceramics students were through the work of Eric Clausen, a fourth year given the opportunity to have one of their works ceramics and sculpture major. of art displayed at this year’s Clay 2009 Student “You could say it’s a juxtaposition. Being nude Exhibition. in a sculpture was originally seen as heroic, but “The curriculum in the class and the pieces today it isn’t seen that way at all,” Clausen said. students do is based on how The issue of plastic surgery we respond to social, political, and self-image was addressed environmental and human

by Annie Nguyen’s piece titled nature issues,” said professor “Synthetic Beauty.” Nguyen’s Nobuhito Nishigawara. The goal is to show that the idea exhibit of sculpted ceramics that natural beauty is taken will be on display this week in for granted and that in tothe CSUF West Art Gallery, day’s culture many people see Room VA 198, and will end things as distorted and seek Friday afternoon. ways to change themselves as Twenty-five of Nishia result. gawara’s students’ pieces were Sharon Jeon, a sixth year displayed, and each piece difceramics major, described her fers significantly. Each piece artwork as an “identity piece.” portrays an issue chosen by “I’m Korean American, the artist. and I can’t concern myself “Tension,” the title of a completely with being Ameripiece by Kimberley Jensen a can or completely with being fourth year ceramics major, Korean so this piece repredepicts a jagged tight chain Vanessa Collins’ mermaid was one of sents that struggle of finding link sculpted with rough, raw the pieces at the ceramic showcase in a bridge between those two edges and was displayed ef- the West Art Gallery. gaps,” Jeon said. fectively by having each end of Jeon’s sculpture depicts a the chain attached to adjacent walls. curvaceous woman with half her face torn away “I wanted to find a way to change not only and pieces missing throughout her body. The my perception of ceramics but other peoples as missing pieces from the body represent the pieces well. When you hear the term ceramics many Jeon is missing in her heritage and the balance she think pottery but that isn’t always what ceramics is trying to find in her heritage and identity. is,” Jensen said, describing the motivation behind On Wednesday from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., the her art. students will be serving hot chocolate to provide Jensen added that she titled her work “Ten- some relief from the cold, as well as selling handsion” due to the tension she gets from college, made ceramic coffee cups as a fundraiser. work and other life challenges. The message of “Ceramics is a 3-D art form,” Nishigawara tension is clearly communicated through her art. said. “If you stop by Wednesday, you can purThe idea of being spread thin just as the way the chase your own 3-D art and ceramic cup.”

By Laura Barron-Lopez For the Daily Titan

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Photos By Shruti Patel/Daily Titan Photo Editor Vice president of the Ceramic Club, Erin Bender, 23, discussed placement of art pieces with Robin Utley, 30.

Page Two

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IN OTHER NEWS INTERNATIONAL

Iranian forces battle thousands of student protesters IRAN (MCT) – Iranian authorities fought thousands of students with tear gas and batons Monday in fierce clashes on university campuses, the biggest anti-government demonstrations in Iran in months, according to Iranian news accounts and opposition Web sites.

Protests erupted on a dozen campuses and in public squares in Tehran, students and opposition groups said.

Images of protesters burning posters of the Iranian leadership, waving Iranian tricolor flags without the “Allah” emblem of the Islamic Republic and chanting “death to the dictator” were beamed worldwide.

“Students in Iran gathered to commemorate the National Student Day as reports suggest a number of anti-government protesters have attempted to hijack the occasion,” the state-backed Press TV reported on its Web site several hours after the events.

NATIONAL

Chicago man charged with conspiracy in Mumbai attack CHICAGO (MCT) – One of two Chicago men charged in a planned assault against a Danish newspaper has been officially accused in last year’s terror attack in Mumbai, the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago announced Monday.

David Headley allegedly conducted extensive surveillance of targets in India for more than two years before the November 2008 attack that killed 170 people, prosecutors said. Headley, who is cooperating with authorities, was named in a 12-count document with six counts of conspiracy related to the Mumbai attack, which targeted two hotels, a train station, a café and a Jewish community center. Sources have said Headley’s co-defendant in the newspaper case, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, is suspected to have paid for Headley’s India missions, but he was not charged Monday.

The charges against Headley, 49, now include the six conspiracy counts, as well as providing material support to foreign terrorist plots, providing support to Lashkar and six counts of aiding and abetting the murder of U.S. citizens in India.

From Page 1 lab to study a language, browse the Web or have cassette tapes converted to CD or VHS tapes to DVD. PowerPoint presentations and Microsoft Word documents are other examples of what the media lab assistants can help with. Most language textbook CDs are on the lab’s server for student use.

The media services are also free to students, but Sangani said this is the one case in which the project must be an academic assignment.

“We’re just another computer lab students can use, but we happen to focus on language. The language lab is a lot quieter than most and a lot less crowded than the lab in Mihaylo Hall or even the Titan Lab in the library,” Sangani said.

Pasadena’s historic castle hosts holiday tour

For the Record It is the policy of the Daily Titan to correct any inaccurate information printed in the publication as soon as the error is discovered. Any incorrect information printed on the front page will result in a correction printed on the front page. Any incorrect information printed on any other page will be corrected on page 2. Errors on the Opinion page will be corrected on that page. Corrections also will be noted on the online version of the Daily Titan.

Please contact Executive Editor Skyler Blair at 657-278-5815 or at execeditor@dailytitan.com with issues about this policy or to report any errors.

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Copyright ©2009 Daily Titan

College receives $50,000 grant

language: Students welcome in center

STATE

PASADENA (MCT) – Pasadena’s 111-year-old Castle Green, which is usually closed to the public, opened its doors to hundreds of guests Sunday for its annual Holiday Tour.

Built as a resort hotel in 1898, Castle Green now contains condominiums but retains nearly all of its original Moroccan and Victorian architecture, which is maintained by residents, said Arnold Siegel, Castle Green docent.

“There’s no other building like it in Southern California,” Siegel said.

“It’s one of a kind. It’s pretty much the way it was when it was built in the 1890s.”

Common areas of the building were open to the public, as well as nearly 30 private condos where residents allowed guests to visit. The living spaces were created when the building was transformed from a hotel into living quarters in the 1920s, and they are each unique. The castle is adorned with antique furniture and artwork throughout, Siegel said.

Original carved woodwork remains in place “in amazingly good shape” throughout the castle, Siegel said, which has long been a popular place for TV and movie crews to film.

December 8, 2009

photo By shruti patel/Daily Titan Photo Editor Rachel Lindsay, a business finance major, takes full advantage of the Humanities language lab to finish end of the semester projects.

Photo By Shruti patel/Daily Titan Photo Editor Rachel Lindsay, 21, and Patrick Xu, 24, worked on their finance projects in the multimedia lab on Monday.

Besides English, Sangani, a senior majoring in finance, speaks Hindi, Gujarati and Swahili.

“Tell Me More” language learning software aids in learning Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish, from beginner to expert.

Eyring said the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures is planning for new minors in Persian, Vietnamese and Chinese in the coming years and expects to add new lab materials, “depending on need.”

Eyring said the budget cuts made in response to the state budget crisis were felt in her department and that the language lab was no exception.

“We had to cut the hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and we cut out Fridays completely,” Eyring said.

The new and pricey Tell Me More software was purchased with assistance from a $10,000 donation from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

“What separates (Tell Me More) from Rosetta Stone is that it is very interactive with audio and video and uses speech recognition software so students can work on their pronunciation. The software doesn’t replace instruction in the classroom, but it’s good for trying out a new language or reinforcing one that you are learning,” Crocco said.

The computers are equipped with headphones to hear correct pronunciation and microphones to

perfect student pronunciation.

The program is a big upgrade from the one in place when Crocco arrived to the lab in fall of 2006.

“Prior to my arrival, the old language lab used cassette tapes. Most students these days have never used a cassette tape. Now we are completely digitized. All the audio and video files we use have been converted to digital format for easy access in the Media Center. We also put many of our language materials on Blackboard Community sites so that our students can access them from anywhere,” Crocco said.

With the new program comes updated interaction technology.

“While many computer teaching labs can control student screens, we can also talk to students over headsets. This allows us to do more interactive language learning activities as you might imagine,” Crocco said.

Another interactive quality of the center is the foreign keyboard options.

“International or domestic students can come in and type a letter to their grandmother in Vietnam in Vietnamese,” Eyring said, as an example of how versatile the lab functions are.

Students can also record themselves speaking their language of study and copy it on a disc to play back.

The Modern Language Media Center is located in Room 325 of the Humanities Building and is open Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

By jessica chapula

For The Daily Titan news@dailytitan.com

The Cal State Fullerton College of Engineering and Computer Science was awarded a $50,000 grant from the non-profit organization Excelencia in Education to help support the Engineering and Computer Science Scholars Program at CSUF in late September.

CSUF was among 20 schools in the nation to receive the grant.

The grant is called SEMILLAS, which is the acronym for Seeding Educational Models that Impact and Leverage Latino Academic Success.

“Semillas” is also the Spanish word for seeds.

The SEMILLAS grant is supported by the Wal-Mart Foundation and is part of the Excelencia in Education’s “Growing What Works” initiative.

The “Growing What Works” initiative aims to increase Latino student success by recognizing educational programs that have proven to increase Latino success at two-year and four-year colleges.

By recognizing these programs, it gives the chance for other institutions to replicate or start their own program to encourage Latino academic success.

The grant will help with funding to keep the ECS Scholars Program running for another year, said Sergio Guerra, director for the Center of Academic Support in Engineering and Computer Science.

“The grant couldn’t have come in a better time; it gives us the much needed resources to continue the program in these hard economic times,” said Raman Unnikrishnan, dean of of the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Unnikrishnan added that he is ecstatic to receive the award “because we are being recognized in a competitive environment and it puts CSUF on the map. It’s always rewarding to see something you are involved in be recognized. And second because it gives other universities a chance to emulate what we are doing.”

The ECS Scholars Program was launched in fall of 2006 to focus on first year students in the Department of Engineering and Computer Science and to keep the department’s attrition rates low.

“Since many students change majors after their first year in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, we created this learning community to keep the students in the program. We provide them counseling, peer mentoring and support from each other and from faculty and staff,” Unnikrishnan said.

“After the success we had, we got the Office of Freshman Programs and the University Learning Center involved. It helped us provide services for the students,” Guerra said.

The services for the program include tutoring, a study center, academic advising, exposure to internships and a chance for students to network.

The ECS Scholars Program has turned out to be successful, said Christian Cruz, a civil engineering major. “I knew the program will be hard, but I didn’t anticipate it was going to be this hard. But joining the ECS Scholars program helped me keep in contact with other students,” Cruz said.

He added that he found it useful when they had guest speakers from different departments on campus “because it helped us to get familiar with the resources we have on campus.”

Angel Noe Castrejon, a computer science major, found the program helpful.

“I am the first generation in my family to attend college, and I heard the College of Engineering and Computer Science had a very high attrition rate. And I thought I’m never going to graduate from this program. But after attending new student orientation, I learned about the ECS Scholars, and I signed up immediately.”

He added, “I would recommend it to other students because people in the ... programs tend to be antisocial ... It makes it easier to transition to college.”

December 8, 2009

FEATURES

Getting more bang for your Euro Daily Titan Staff Writer features@dailytitan.com

People always say to travel the world while an individual is young, when they have the patience to wait hours in stations and airports and the energy to explore nonstop on little sleep and food.

Of all the places to see, the countries of Europe are some of the most popular destinations, thanks to their rich histories, beautiful landscapes and influence in food, fashion and art. Some students are willing to splurge on a grand adventure, but many believe Europe is simply too expensive.

But it’s easier and cheaper to travel Europe than one might think. Knowing some helpful tips and where to find deals will save money and grief when planning a trip to Europe.

One thing to keep in mind is that the curre n t

economic downturn can work in a traveler’s favor. Airlines, hotels and tour groups are hurting for business, which means they are offering great discounts for prospective travelers.

When it comes to taking planes, buying tickets early is a must to save on airfare. Consider taking a red-eye flight or multiple layovers to save money.

If a traveler is going to more than one city or country by plane, they should choose one city as a main hub, such as London or Paris, and take discount airlines between countries.

Some good companies are easyJet and Ryanair, where fares can sometimes be found as low as $20.

Discount airlines tend to make their money by charging for baggage, so make sure bags weigh less than their weight limits (usually 15 kilograms or 33 pounds).

Discount airlines also use smaller planes, so seats fill up quickly.

One of the most challenging aspects is finding quality accommodation. The best places to stay on a budget are youth hostels.

Hostels have a reputation among Americans of being unsafe and unclean, but this isn’t the case. Hostels are similar to dorm rooms in colleges, where an individual pays by the bed and shares common areas, like the bathroom and kitchen.

Hostels are wellstaffed, clean and extremely convenient.

They are usually located close to popular tourist sites and are a fantastic way to meet people from all over the world.

A variety of hostels, hotels and campgrounds can

be compared on Web sites such as HostelWorld.com, and one can check hostel ratings at Web sites like TripAdvisor.com.

When researching hostels, look for ones that have Internet access, breakfast included, key card access, luggage storage, 24-hour check-in and 24-hour security. These qualities mean safer hostels. It also saves travelers money on breakfast and allows them to check in even if they arrive in the middle of the night.

Tour desks and free walking tours are always a plus, as are elevators and cafés in the hostels themselves.

For travelers wishing to avoid the stress of organizing all of these elements by themselves, they can look into tour groups and packages that do all of the planning for them.

Companies like Contiki and Trafalgar Tours offer multiple-country trips for low prices. These companies provide transportation, accommodation, meals, guides, tours and excursions for one set price.

Train fares differ in each country.

Some places like Germany and Italy have inexpensive train fares while countries like England and France have higher prices.

When it comes to getting around cities, metro systems are the best bet.

They tend to be the cheapest and fastest way to get around. Travelers should buy day passes to save money and should keep a map with them to help with navigation.

Taxis and buses are another alternative, but their prices and efficiency vary per country as well. Travelers should always check with taxi drivers to make sure they know where to take them and to establish a price upfront; this will save travelers from being cheated on fares.

The cheapest and best way to explore Europe is on foot. Many cities were designed with walkers in mind,

cheapest and “bestThe way to explore Europe is on foot.

Female math majors band together

By Jamie Iglesias

Daily Titan Staff Writer features@dailytitan.com

Math is a difficult subject for many.

For females who are passionate about math, it becomes difficult to find support in a male-dominated major.

SMART Girls, short for Sisters in Mathematics with Academic Relations in Teachings, is a support group at Cal State Fullerton that aims at retaining female math majors who want to become high school teachers.

“Right now there (are) not that many females in the math major, so there are not many of us. As you go on with math, you need someone to study with, and when you are around a lot of males, you feel left out,” said Cristian Bueno Correa, 19, a mathematics major and president of the club.

Roxana Rodriguez, 21, vice president of the club, also acknowledges the lack of women who are majoring in math.

“It is harder for women to stay in the math major because usually when you sit in your class and look around all you see is guys and you ask yourself, ‘Where are all the girls?’” Rodriguez said.

The club’s adviser, Margaret L. Kidd, assistant mathematics professor, helps members get study rooms during finals, find scholarships, helps fund for upcoming conferences and even provides the girls with food in her office.

Kidd cares for all of the members, and they appreciate the help that she has provided them with. They support each other through their downfalls, and they motivate each other to continue on during difficult times.

“Some clubs have meetings that are too formal. We make you feel comfortable. We know how the math classes are. You can get to a point where they are just hard and you do not want to keep going, but we encourage people to come in; we try to help them,” Rodriguez said.

SMART Girls holds meetings twice a month, and one of the meetings is a luncheon where math students and faculty are invited to eat and meet each other on a personal basis.

“I’ve met a lot of professors, and through our meetings, you get to meet them and you don’t feel intimidated taking a certain professor’s class,” Rodriguez said.

Khushbu Bhakta, 21, a mathematics major and treasurer of the club, said that the club has helped her learn dif-

ferent ways of solving problems, and she has learned that frustration comes with being a math major.

“I have learned that it’s OK to not understand something, and if you feel frustrated, it is all right. You don’t have to give up in it. You just have to take a break and breathe,” Bhakta said.

SMART Girls began as a study group in 2006, officially becoming a club in 2008. There are 10 – 15 of-

so it’s easy for them to find their way around. Travelers will also see more by walking. Another option is to ride a bicycle, which can be rented in most cities. They are a little faster than walking but still allow riders to explore in detail.

No matter how expensive it may be, grabbing a taxi is always a good idea when lost. It’s better than wasting several hours wandering around.

To help get the most out of an European adventure, there are a few important things to remember when it comes to experiencing cultures and staying safe.

Many people in Europe speak English, but don’t expect or demand that they do. Europeans appreciate it when travelers make an effort to speak their language, even if they are terrible at it. Addressing and thanking them in their own language goes a long way, as people will tend to be friendlier.

Be brave when it comes to trying food. Trying different foods is part of the experience. Many meals may sound strange or disgusting, but they usually turn out to be incredibly delicious.

While traveling, have common sense. Don’t travel alone at night if it can be helped, and keep an eye on possessions to keep them from getting stolen.

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Every culture is unique, from the relaxed atmosphere of Italy to the liberal attitude of the Netherlands, and locals love to share their culture. Locals are also used to helping tourists and are excellent guides if travelers need help finding their way.

A trip to Europe doesn’t have to be just in a dream. If an individual is willing to do the work and keep an open-mind, a life-altering European adventure can be a reality.

ficial members. It may seem small, but compared to the rest of the department, it is a good size considering the small amount of mathematics majors.

It is definitely an improvement from the past year, Bueno Correa said.

Most of the cabinet members are on their way to graduation, and they see themselves entering the credential program and strive to become high school math teachers.

“

By Maureen Fox

3

OPINION

4

December 8, 2009

Living in the lower division

By Todd Boldizsar

For the Daily Titan

Should professors be required to use the university’s plus/minus grading system?

By Nicole Park

Daily Titan Staff Writer opinion@dailytitan.com

For the first time in my Cal State Fullerton educational career, my Titan Degree Audit will be missing a familiar two-word phrase I strive so hard to earn each semester: “dean’s list.”

It happens to the best of us.

During a particularly hard semester, we may fall behind, but what makes this loss such a painful one is that I’m missing out on my distinguished academic placement because my “B” is missing its well-earned plus sign.

In an unnamed online course I’m currently taking as my “easy elective,” I’ve not only learned to value the experience on-campus classes bring, but also the magnitude of our school’s plus/minus grading system.

What I don’t value or even remotely support is the ambiguity surrounding the policy.

Despite the university decision to weigh grades and GPAs according to the plus/minus scale, professors can choose to omit the nifty symbols based on a subjective like or dislike basis.

The plus/minus system was “officially” adopted by university administration in spring 2005,

according to the CSUF Admissions and Records Web site.

What this message sends to students is that the faculty of CSUF is not in unity with the administration of CSUF on the grading policy and academic worth of students’ work and that the lack of clarity on an issue so integral to education is acceptable.

The pluses and minuses aren’t for decoration; the system provides for the truest possible GPA, and while the school would most accurately call my standing 88 percent in said class a “B+,” my professor decided it’s going to be a plain old “B.” This means the class is only worth 3.0 of the 3.3 points I rightfully earned, a .3 difference that fell in favor of mediocrity.

What the numbers show are not only lost grade points, but an utter disregard of student effort and achievement. For example, although I almost earned an “A” in the class, I will be getting the same grade as someone who barely squeaked out of the C-range with an 80 percent for the semester.

While it is a relatively new adoption by the university, five years is more than enough time for professors to adapt and revamp their grading scales to use the correct, university-prescribed, grading symbols.

I think the CSUF policy should be more defined and have a uniform, enforced policy.

Professors should realize that although they can choose to grade using either scale, students have no choice in the matter and GPAs reflect the grading scale of the university, not the imaginary, arbitrary and oversimplified scales of some professors.

By Jeremiah Magan

Daily Titan Opinion Editor opinion@dailytitan.com

I don’t understand the students who torture themselves over their GPA. Unless they plan on going to graduate school, their GPA doesn’t really matter beyond a C average after college.

That’s not to say that students should be lazy and not put as much effort as they can into their education; but at some point, most students have to realize that they cannot achieve a perfect 4.0, have some semblance of a social life and maintain their sanity.

Going to school shouldn’t be about the grades; it should be about the learning process.

As long as I can demonstrate that I have learned the material and can utilize the skills I have been taught, then what else do I need?

But there are those who only care, and are even obsessed, about their GPA. To those people, every little grade point matters. I hate those people. They annoy the living crap out of me.

To students like this, nothing is more important than proving how much better they are than their peers.

The university made a clear-cut decision in 2005 to grade every student on a plus/minus grading system, but like many things Cal State Fullerton administrators “decide,” it has become less of a rule and more of a suggestion.

It is official university policy that students should not skateboard on campus, but I have never seen anyone receive a ticket, citation or any other form of punishment for breaking this rule.

I have never had a university police officer chase me down as I roll down Titan Walk.

How a professor grades their students should be left up to the individual professor to decide. How many students can honestly say that they have visited the school’s Web site to review the university’s grading policy?

I would venture to guess not very many.

So how can anyone be surprised or upset when they walk into a new class and the grading policy for that professor is different from a professor they had before?

Students are more than likely unaware that there is supposed to be an university-wide grading policy, so how can they be upset at the end of the semester when they realize that their 89 percent will only get them a 3.0 for the class and not a 3.3.

Students have every opportunity to know how they will be graded when they begin a course. If they actually care about their GPA, then they should try harder to get the grade they want within the system their professor uses.

It really is that simple; no one is responsible for a students’ grade other than themselves.

Nerdgasm “Exploring the highs and lows of nerd culture”

Newsflash: teens are addicted to the Internet by ashleigh johnson

Daily Titan Copy Editor opinion@dailytitan.com

Originally, I had planned to write a column that would take a thoughtful, informative look at the public’s obsession for information regarding Tiger Woods and his extramarital affairs (because that’s how I roll).

Then I realized that I couldn’t care less about the subject and not even Woods’ penis detaching itself from his body, donning a top hat and monocle and doing a song and dance number (what it lacks in tastefulness, it more than makes up for in artistic merit) could reverse my feelings of apathy.

So screw that noise; we’re talking about Internet addiction.

In a recent Australian-Chinese study (because Australia hearts China, apparently), it’s been found that not only are 10 percent of teens “moderately” addicted to the

Internet, but the entire population of Internet-addicted teens is 2.4 times more likely to engage in selfharming behaviors such as “hitting themselves, pulling their own hair or pinching or burning themselves.”

The study made no mention of whether furiously masturbating to furry porn is considered a self-destructive behavior or not. Note: For those of you who don’t know what a furry is, do yourself a favor and do not look it up.

First off, Chinese and Australian teens must be a whole lot different from the American variety because I challenge you to find a group of teens who aren’t addicted to the Internet.

Hell, when I worked as a nanny, it was well-nigh impossible to find a 7-year-old who wasn’t addicted to Neopets or Battletoads or whatever the heck the kids are into these days.

In short: I’m on to you, Australia

and China. I don’t think your results are accurate at all. Paying people to do an intensive study on teenagers and Internet use is about as useful as doing a study on whether or not dogs enjoy rolling around in roadkill (answer: They do).

It doesn’t take a scientific study to tell anyone that teens enjoy the Internet quite a lot, and I doubt that only 10 percent of Chinese and Australian teens are moderately addicted; though, I do think that there’s a correlation between the low number of young Internet addicts and selfdestructive behavior.

Anyone who has had to deal with teenagers knows that they tend to be, and this is a direct quote from a friend of mine, “little shits.”

Don’t get me wrong, I tip my hat to anyone who has to get a straight answer out of hormone-riddled adolescents for a living. I can just see some researcher walking into a room full of glaring teenagers, trying to be

all hip and happening and “with it.”

Researcher: Hey there, kids! I’m Bob, and I’m going to ask you all a few brief questions about your online habits. Now –.

Teen 1 raises hand.

Researcher: Oh! Yes? Teen 1 flips off the researcher.

Researcher: Oh! Haha! Aren’t you precious! But let’s get down to business. If you could all just –.

Teen 2: Your mom’s a whore.

That’s probably how the research process went for several hours. Finally the researchers probably gave up, made up a number and had to come up with a reason as to why some of their subjects had bruises, bloody scalps and burn marks all over their bodies.

“The Internet did it,” said one of the researchers as his colleagues nodded in unison. And that, my friends, is how China and Australia spent millions of dollars to find out absolutely nothing.

opinion@dailytitan.com

As if the pressures of adjusting to college and finally getting out into the real world aren’t enough, college professors of 100 – 200 level classes are dishing out finals in the form of long and short essays.

The era of multiple choice questions and treating these classes as what they often are – meaningless general education – is disappearing with each passing term.

One might think that with the recent furloughs and salary cuts professors have had to take, the effort they put into teaching would also be minimized. Students must be thinking they are going to catch a break.

Yeah right! In your dreams, freshmen and sophomores.

Instead, young college students are now faced with studying extra hard because passing grades are getting harder to come by. A student can have a brilliant term, only to have it destroyed by one poor exam – usually a three or four page essay – which could be about anything from where babies come from to how people of ancient civilizations wiped themselves (I’m exaggerating of course, but come on, man).

Adding to the stress of studying for finals and writing term papers are the tuition increases, textbooks

costs, the limitations on lab use and shorter office hours. I am only a few short weeks away from graduating and already I feel like I’m on Wall Street and paying for it instead of getting paid.

With the economy still down for the count (Oh yeah, you knew I was going to mention it), students who live on their own and work full time are also feeling the heat.

Professors of lower division classes are now requiring more out-of-class participation in the form of trips to historic venues, field research and video projects.

WTF professors? Seriously. I’m so frustrated I’m saying “WTF.” I hate “WTF,” and now you’ve got me saying it. What’s next? Don’t make me get to “OMG!” Well students, there is hope. The holidays are coming (Man, I wanted to say Christmas right there). If we can make it through these last two weeks, we will be cruising straight to holiday cheer. Stockings will be hung, trees will be decorated and spiked eggnog are sure to follow.

So don’t worry about finals, term papers and other assignments because it will all be over soon. Then you can start worrying about shopping for all your friends, relatives and significant others.

One more thing: Good luck paying for all those presents, your rent and next semester’s classes.

Relationship season

By Lauren Felechner

Daily Titan Staff Writer opinion@dailytitan.com

Oh, the holidays. This season seems to last from November, when the turkey comes out, until February, when boxes of chocolate are devoured. A phrase that I find appropriate for this time of year is “Relationship Season.”

Whether it’s the cold weather that makes people want a companion to cuddle up with or getting that extra present around Christmas time from that special someone, when the clouds start rolling in, people start dating.

It must be all the holiday cheer that pierces the hearts of even the most devoid-of-feelings guy and makes him a little more sentimental.

And no, this isn’t just something out of a woman’s imagination because there is also “Break Up Season.”

Perhaps it is having someone by your side to endure the family-time, with all of the extended relatives and imposing questions, or having that already set person that you plan on kissing at midnight on New Year’s Eve with, instead of being one of the singles that just “happened” to be standing next to the person they want to make-out with when midnight strikes.

There are also those nights when it’s raining and trekking it from bar to bar and getting wet doesn’t sound all that appealing. So instead, couples stay in and cuddle up. These relationships are not always the right idea, mind you.

Some might be rushed into, some may be acts of loneliness or desperation, but nonetheless, it seems to be a pattern not only in my group of girlfriends, but my guy friends as well.

Whenever one of my girlfriends gets a boyfriend or just someone they are constantly hanging out with, the other women follow in her lead.

To make sense out of guys wanting to be in a relationship around this time of year, my conclusion has been that the colder weather causes women to cover up a little more.

They aren’t running around in cutoff shorts or their midriff tops when they go out, so guy’s eyes aren’t wandering as much. They don’t have that much eye-candy and, thus, become a little more decisive, which leads me to “Break Up Season.”

Around March, when the sun starts to come out again and spring break is on the horizon for college students, the break ups start to occur on both ends. Maybe the woman wants some “space,” and the guy wants to have a “guys night” a couple times a week.

The skimpy clothes begin making their appearance once again for the warmer weather, and the guys are on the prowl. Break up season lasts anywhere from March until May. Couples have this amount of time to get away from their mate before summer time officially starts. Now, summertime itself could be dubbed as “Single Season.”

No one is looking for a boyfriend or girlfriend during the months of June, July and August. Everyone’s hormones are running wild and are a little more frisky than usual. It’s as if the sunshine is like cat-nip. There are too many distractions and too many options. Guys are visual creatures, and there is a lot to catch their eyes during this time of year.

Call me crazy, but my year is usually divided up into these three seasons rather than our typical fall, winter, spring and summer months.

So you could probably guess what my relationship-status and love life entails. Just don’t be surprised if you catch someone’s eyes within the next couple of months.

And hey, perhaps there will be extra presents for you during the holidays.

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Sports

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December 8, 2009

Titans’ rally falls short CSUF falls to the University of San Diego in home opener, as Lauren Chow injures knee By juan saucedo

Daily Titan Staff Writer sports@dailytitan.com

Home sweet home wasn’t so sweet for the Cal State Fullerton women’s basketball team last night.

Despite the fact the Titans (3-4) couldn’t wait to be in front of the home crowd after playing six straight road games to start the season, CSUF played a game of cat and mouse the entire time against the University of San Diego in their home opener.

When the Titans eventually caught up to the Toreros, CSUF failed to hold onto a slim lead down the stretch, resulting in a 64-58 nonconference loss at Titan Gym. “It’s a tough frustrating loss, but

Junior point guard Lauren Chow went down early in the first half with an injury to her right knee. Extent of the injury is still undetermined by the coaching staff.

I thought our effort was there, and we played tough in the second half,” said Megan Richardson, a sophomore shooting guard, who had a game-high 15 points for the Titans.

“We were down 12 (points) at halftime, and we battled back but our shots didn’t fall.”

The Toreros (5-5) jumped to an early lead at the start of the game by going on an 8-2 run in the opening five minutes after the Titans opened the match with a quick basket.

The Titans answered with a threepointer by junior point guard Lauren Chow, which cut the deficit to 8-5.

Chow then injured her right leg and had to be carried off the court by her coaches.

With 10 minutes remaining in the first half, senior guard Jasmine Scott made a three-pointer that tied the game 12-12 for the Titans.

The Toreros responded by going on a 17-4 run in the last 10 minutes of the first half, and CSUF trailed 29-16 at halftime.

The Titans had 13 turnovers in the first half and shot 26 percent (6 for 23) from the field and 22 percent (2 for 9) from the three-point range.

CSUF then came out and began to chip away at the lead in the second half.

The Titans capped a 14-3 run with 10 minutes left in the game, cutting the lead to 42-39.

CSUF junior guard Britt Peters hit a three-pointer with eight minutes left in the game to cut the deficit to 44-42 for the Titans.

After a USD turnover, junior guard Ashley Richie’s three-pointer gave the Titans a 45-44 lead.

Junior guard Lyndsey Grove then made two free throws, which made it 47-44 for CSUF. The Titans had a 54-49 lead with 4:45 left in the game.

Richardson made two free throws to give the Titans a 56-51 lead with 4:13 left.

Dominique Conners then made a jumper for the Toreros that cut the lead to 56-55. USD took a 57-56 lead with a heavily contestant lay-

up.

Conners made two free throws with 1:05 left, giving USD a 61-58 lead.

With 28 seconds remaining, Richardson missed a three-pointer that could have tied the game. The Titans fouled USD’s Emily Hatch, who made one of two free-throws.

Richardson then missed another three-point shot, and the Titans fouled USD one more time, ending the scoring.

Richardson said she felt confident about taking the shot, but the plan was to get in the hands of Peters, who went 3 for 5 from the threepoint range.

CSUF Head Coach Marcia Foster, who is in her first year with the Titans, said she liked how her team adjusted in the second half even though Chow wasn’t in the game.

“We don’t want to be out toughed in our home court. We’re competitive, and we want to compete,” Foster said.

After the game, Chow held back tears as she stepped out of the locker room with her right knee bandaged.

Chow said she doesn’t know what happened to her leg and that she’s going to wait for the coaches to assess the injury before jumping to a conclusion.

Scott said she felt good that they battled back and made a game of it even though they failed to rally.

“The game plan was to pretty much play our game, run the court.

We’re a fast paced team, and we did that but we did it in spurts,” she said. “We could have done it probably throughout the game, and we should have done it.”

Scott finished with seven points and five rebounds while Peters had 11 points for the Titans. Overall, the Titans shot 30 percent (18 for 60) from the field and 29 percent (7 for 24) from the three-point range in the game.

The Toreros had four players in double figures.

CSUF will play three more games at home, starting with Loyola Marymount on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Titan Gym.

By chad uemera/Daily Titan Staff Photographer Freshman guard Alicya Crip attempts a shot over a University of San Diego defender during the Titans 64-58 loss last night.