The Golden Gate Xpress by Golden Gate Xpress

STRIKE:

FACULTY UNION TO VOTE ON NEXT COURSE OF ACTION ch3no2@mail.sfsu.edu

FTER YEARS OF TENSION, the California Faculty Association is voting today on whether or not it should move forward with its proposed one-day strike set to take place on two California State University campuses Nov. 17. The strike is in response to the 20082009 and 2009-2010 CFA contracts in which faculty members were promised a raise, but due to the economic crisis, were later denied the pay increase. The CSU system defended its actions by saying that the contract states that it can be altered due to economic conditions. Cal State East Bay and Cal State Dominguez Hills were the selected locations to strike because they represent the true demographics of the CSU population

ADMINISTRATION RECEIVED

71%

RAISE IN WAGES WITHIN 13 YEARS

in terms of student and faculty demographics and composition, said Brian Ferguson, CFA spokesman. “Faculty will strike at CSU East Bay and Dominguez Hills and faculty from other schools will join if they are not doing action on their own campus,” said Joe Tran, CFA spokesman. “Faculty have joined students in budget protest before, but they can’t strike for any reasons other than pay. Right now, that’s their only weapon.” The CFA is currently working through with the proposals it has been given. Other forms of striking will begin either Nov. 8 or 9 on the other 21 campuses, respectively. “Different forms of striking can vary

FACULTY RECEIVED

27%

RAISE IN WAGES WITHIN 13 YEARS

GOLDEN GATE XPRESS //

and don’t necessarily have to be full-on protests and boycotting,” Ferguson said. “The other 21 CSU campuses will hold informational strikes the week before, which can vary between wearing union T-shirts and holding signs. But these forms are not concerted actions demanded by the CFA but rather each individual CSU chapter.” According to Wei Ming Dariotis, president of the CFA’s SF State chapter, SF State faculty would join the one day striking professors at CSU East Bay, if the effort materializes. “Our participation in concerted action would be to travel to Cal State East Bay for our colleagues there but visibly as

STUDENT FEES INCREA

263%

SED

AT STATE UNIVERSITI ES IN LAST 13 YEARS

STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER PROUDLY SERVING THE SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY SINCE 1927.

Board members will decide today whether or not to protest the denial of wage increases in the past two years.

// 10.05.11

VOLUME LXXXXI ISSUE 7

Balancing obligations

COMING OUT: Art student shares his story Ricardo De La Torre was always afraid to tell his family that he is gay, but after several years he now knows that he does not need to hide who he is any longer. bbalisi@mail.sfsu.edu rubyp@mail.sfsu.edu

with the burden of high tuition costs, long work hours and an endless amount of homework assignments. While most students struggle to carry the heavy load associated with going to school, SF State student Khay Hembrador takes it in stride while holding her 2-year-old. Hembrador, 23, sets her eyes toward graduating in the spring with a degree in Asian American studies; however the situation is proving to ferent jobs and does her homework while her son Kairese constantly craves her attention. “I hate letting go of my time

SF State art major Ricardo De La Torre always wanted to tell his parents about his sexuality, but other horror stories about coming out kept him postponing the date. “A lot of my friends who had come out to their Latin families said they went through drama, and they went through arguing, and getting temporarily kicked out of home,” De La Torre, 21, said. “They told me ‘don’t do it, just wait. I went through hell.’” As for De La Torre, it’s safe to say his own coming out story was not ideal. De La Torre was usually comfortable sharing information about his new life in San Francisco. He never thought any negative backlash would occur when he became open about his sexuality on Myspace several years back. Then in October of 2007 De La Torre found himself “outed” by a cousin who had come across his page and took it upon herself to inform De La Torre’s parents about their gay son.

De La Torre was scared. He had heard all about Latino friends and their families’ reactions. He didn’t want to be kicked out of his home or to be treated differently by his parents. “I’m Mexican and being gay isn’t a good thing. It’s really looked down upon and I thought it was going to be an intense confrontation I was going to have with my dad but he was actually very understanding about the whole thing,” De La Torre said. “They were just kind of waiting for it. My mom’s biggest issue was that I never talked to her about it because growing up with her I was very close to her and I told her everything.” According to De La Torre, gender roles were given to him at a very early age. Men are expected to follow the rules of “machismo,” the Spanish term to describe masculinity, he said. De La Torre was raised to think that to be a homosexual man means to be a failed man because of the religious teachings he received growing up Catholic. prejudice against LGBT people,” said SF State liberal studies major Victoria Guzman. “I remember protesting against Prop 8 and my mom would be mad that I was out there because she said it wasn’t right, that we’re Catholic.” People in Latino communities have to deal with an extra layer of racism in America in addition to homophobia, ac-

2 CITY

10.05.11

CCSF STUDENTS HOST COMMUNITY INFORUM

SAN FRANCISCO MAYORAL RACE

CANDIDATES FACE SF EDUCATION WOES

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With funding for education constantly subject to cuts, mayoral candidates say they will do what they can to help.

Candidates tackle issues from transportation to education to facilitate political discussion between students and create topic awareness. lcarmack@mail.sfsu.edu

Mayoral candidates appeared at City College of San Francisco cassbeck@mail.sfsu.edu

ing to the California Budget Project. The

hile each candidate for mayor of San Francisco has a general idea of how to handle education woes in the city, few candidates have a solid plan of how to deal with the issue of funding for education, the root of the problem. District) get it worse than the universities... at least the universities can raise tuition. We can’t raise money,” said SFUSD Superintendent Carlos Garcia. “It’s just unfortunate that... we say we value education but we don’t put our money where our mouth is.” The state legislature has consistently reduced funding for education throughout the

“The reality is that we are going to have do this, but isn’t the future worth it?” Garcia said. “How short-sighted could we be that we’re not willing to invest in our own future?” In the meantime, the reduced funding has taken its toll on higher education at SF State, and some students hope that the new mayor will be able to help. “More focus on education for sure, I think that would be the biggest necessity,” said student at SF State. Her biggest hope for the energy into advocating for education. Wright wants the mayor to “focus on not allowing re-

has no direct control over the budget and its implementation, the position does allow the mayor to propose a budget to the Board of Supervisors. The mayor can

advocate certain priorities for the government. “The mayor doesn’t have direct responsibility over education,” said District a mayor with a lot of education connections.” Some mayoral candidates, including -

As of the 2009-2010 fiscal year, California was 44th in the nation in general funding per student in K-12 education alone, according to the website Close the Loophole.

tion alone, according to Close the Loophole, -

Dennis Herrera, believe they can make a change by simply making the mayor the primary supporter for education. “I believe the mayor should be the chief education advocate for the city and thinking about public schools and how to improve them in relation to job creation, in relation to community, in relation to safety and security tion is her “moment of obligation” and the reason she is running for mayor.

community colleges. Yet, the budget continues to get slashed.

to reduce the number of school days, increase class sizes and reduce or eliminate summer school. -

$6.3

BILLION

Between the 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 fiscal years, annual state funding for schools K-12 has decreased by $6.3 billion.

ing for higher education and affordable housing in the city.

already limited funnel into higher education.”

year, California was 44th in the nation in

its the amount of money the state can receive

believes in focusing primarily on the SFUSD; both Chiu and Yee believe that the mayor should be the primary advocate for increased funding for education. Yee has a track record in the state Senate of opposing tuition increases for students and has consistently advocated for increased education funding. chi want to use private sector and business involvement to integrate private and public schools, and work with businesses to get internships for students. internship programs with private sector companies to facilitate the transition from school to work for students in our schools,” Ultimately Garcia thinks it’s up to the students to make the change. “We stand up to the governor, the legislature and we say ‘Hey what you’re doing is wrong,’ but it can’t be done with single voices,” Garcia said. “It has to be done with everybody caring enough to walk, to talk Lisa Carmack contributed to this report.

Smith, who helped facilitate the forum, felt it would provide a unique opportunity for students to be involved in local politics. “We’re hoping to educate the students and encourage them to be a part of our democracy,” Smith said. Several students in attendance were there to get information as part of a class. Broadcasting student Tom Morrow admitted he didn’t know much about the role of the mayor in city politics. “I know a little (about the mayor),” Morrow said. “I think he’s got a lot of politics, and really very little power,” the forum was overall a success. “It was informative for the students and it will help them make decisions about who they’ll be voting for,” Fang said.

dents, organized the forum and delegated the questions to candifor each round. Time was split into four sets of questions along with a ten minute intermission for a CCSF student video. However, due to long-winded and convoluted answers from the candidates, the intermission and closing statements were skipped. Smith thought imposed time constraints demonstrated which candidates fully understood the issues. how several candidates had trouble coming up with succinct and appropriate answers to the students’ questions.

“

Some candidates were concerned with restoring jobs in the struggling San Francisco economy. jobs in the last two years.” said President of the Board of Supervisors David Chiu. defender, told the room that the best way to encourage the growth of business would be through Proposition B, which would provide legislation to create micro loans. “That way we can invest in your future and you can choose the kind of

The conversation was civil, aside from the occasional overlapping ideas and candidates clarifying that they too PRESIDENT OF have supported an issue when another THE BOARD OF said he or she was the “only one” who SUPERVISORS had taken previous actions. When improving Muni was brought up, Chiu asserted that he was a stakeholder in the issue and had dealt with the shortcomings of public transportation. Muni,” Chiu said.

responded in good humor on the subject. “I’m going to be the mayor that makes sure that David Chiu and Wilma Pang have a bus when they need it,” Yee said. didates were asked how they would ensure that all students in San Francisco have access to a quality education. but “There’s very that little a mayor can do to affect education.” University, said that addressing the issue of education was her “moment of obligation” and took this as an opportunity to discuss future. Whether it be through creating jobs or prioritizing education, candidates emphasized the importance of the students sitting in front of them. “The overall interest of students was good,” Fang said. “They were sitting and listening the whole time.”

10.05.11

CITY

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FREE RIDE: PROPOSAL MIGHT GIVE KIDS A PASS ON MUNI COSTS, EASING PARENTS’ EXPENSE

Although the price of youth passes doubled last year, communitysupported plan would help kids get to school in lieu of lost yellow buses. coalition and Women Advocates for Youth.” “Financial restrictions have

mphuber@mail.sfsu.edu

hen the bell rings at 3 p.m., many of San Francisco’s younger residents crowd the buses and light rail trains as they spider out into the city back home. Like many an SF State student, these kids sometimes encounter to sneak on through the back of the bus. A new plan with various community supporters has been proposed by the Board of Supervisors which would allow youth to ride Muni for free, helping alleviate the concern of parents who are struggling to send their children to school after budget cuts that have eliminated 11 yellow school buses. Muni generates close to $200 million of their $800 million dollar budget through fares. With fare evasion always a problarge population of school-aged children could have a large impact on a transportation system that is heavily strained. However, offering free ridership which could posget children to school. During a San Francisco Youth Commission meeting on Sept. 19th, community members spoke up about the resolution. Kate Faria, member of People Organized to Win Employee Rights who has spoken with bus riders and come families have experienced in trying to take public transportation. “For people with multiple children, $22 a month

is just undoable and it’s a matter of buying groceries that week or buying the passes for your kids to go to school,” Faria said. “With yellow school buses getting cut and more dependency on the Muni to get to school, work and the opportunities the city has to offer, that shouldn’t be a question. You should be able to access the city.” “The youth commission strongly urges the mayor, the Board of Supervisors, the Board of Education and SFMTA to continue to work together to support, improve and implement free Muni for all San Francisco’s young people,” said Youth Commission Chairwoman Leah LaCroix. Several community members have shown support for the measure. “We’ve been collaborating with Supervisors David Campos, John Avalos, Malia Cohen, Jane Kim,” Faria said. “The SFUSD is supporting this, also the SF Bike

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School District to cut its transportation budget nearly in half, from $6 million down to just under $3.5 million over the next three years,” said Laura Lane, deputy policy director to Senator Leland Yee. “That means no more bus service for 11 schools this year with more to follow.” A majority of San Francisco’s public school students depend on Muni for transportation. In 2008, a YouthVote Student Survey found that nearly 70 percent of the 8,000 students that were part of the survey use some form of public transportation to get to school. Almost 44 percent of the students require more than one train or bus to get to school. To make matters worse, the price of the Muni Youth Fast Pass recently increased 100 percent, rising from $10 per month to $20 per month as of May 2010. are asking where the money will come from if school children get to ride the bus for free. Lane said funds can be generated through cutting back on spending in other areas. “Identifying and trimming wasteful spending within Muni, like putting an end to golden parachutes for execLane said. Some San Francisco Muni users don’t see a reason to be against free ridership. “It will help low-income children get to school. Just that is reason enough to be behind this plan,” said Stephanie Fowler, 28, a San Francisco Muni rider. “In the bigger picture it won’t cost that much more out of our pockets, and we’ll be helping children get to school. It’s a no-brainer.”

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4 CAMPUS

SF SPEAKS OUT WHY WOULD YOU OR WOULDN’T YOU SUPPORT A FACULTY STRIKE AT SF STATE?

Probably not. Don’t we end up paying for their paycheks? And already the state is racking up the tax and our tuition. FRESHMAN, UNDECLARED

I don’t know if I would, just because I’m not really into strikes and stuff. It depends if it’s a good cause, I’d join.

10.05.11

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REPUBLICANS: SF STATE MINORITY

kyau2022@mail.sfsu.edu

Republican in 2009, according to a report

communications class, where he said the professor made an example of a student essay that expressed conservative ideals. “He showed it to the faculty and everyone in the class, and everyone started laughing,” said Fabian, an active member of the College Republicans during his four years at SF State. “I automatically had a fear I was going to fail the class.” While giving a speech in that class

“This campus has a history of activN A CAMPUS THAT IS HOME to ism against conservative government,” students of different religions, races, McDaniel said. ages, ethnicities and classes, there is Though Republicans may currently one group whose absence is palpable. If not have a visible organization on campus, Republicans do in fact exist at SF State, there could still be a sizable minority, acsome students might think they’ve gone cording to McDaniel. into hiding. “Just because you see more liberals SF State’s Republican voice has gone doesn’t mean there’s a huge disproporsomewhat muted in the year-and-alike Michael Moore gained from cerhalf long absence of an established tain depictions of George W. Bush, Many SF State students with campus organization. he was taunted as a bigot by a fellow The last time the College Repubconservative viewpoints are met classmate. licans were recognized as a campus “I was like, I’m brown like you!” with animosity when speaking their organization was during spring 2010, said Fabian, a Filipino-American. minds in the classroom. and the group hasn’t sought recogniRepublican Nathaniel Cabrera tion since, according to Sarah Bauer, doesn’t hide his views, but doesn’t the managing director of Leadership, tion,” McDaniel said. volunteer them either. Engagement, Action, Development, the Despite the sizeable conservative “I usually keep my political views to body that approves groups on campus. minority, many young people feel vocally myself unless someone asks me,” said CaPhilip Fabian, a former vice president restricted due to social morays, according brera, a junior in biology, who was raised of the College Republicans and SF State to Daniel Higa, the manager at the San conservative and is a registered Republialumnus, attributed the dissolution of the Francisco Republican Party. can. “It’s not something I throw out there College Republicans to a mixture of “a “College is a very social thing and a lot because it’s a very touchy subject for some hard time attracting new members” and of times it’s hard to state what you really people.” dissent within the organization itself with want to say when your teacher may look While young GOP members might be the club president. down on you, your colleagues might look intimidated into silence, Paul Murre, presi“She did a few things that embardown on you,” said dent of the College Democrats at SF State, rassed us in the front of the state-wide Higa, who is also attributed the lack of Republican visibility chapter,” Fabian said. “She wanted to do a student at the to student disinterest instead of an absence a charity event instead of campaign for RELATED EDITORIAL Academy of Art of student Republicans. Republican candidates. Campaigning for in San Francisco. “There’s a lot of apathy going around. Republicans candidates is something we needed to “Colleges are The big story isn’t so much of a lack of should be focus on instead of running a marathon.” mostly liberal-run, Republicans; it’s about a lack of interest more than just According to Jason McDaniel, an they don’t want to in SFSU and lack of student involvement tolerated by assistant professor in the political science be singled out.” in politics,” Murre, a junior in political fellow students. department, a conservative void and failRepublican science, said. ure to reestablish the campus GOP could students on campus Dell Brooks, a registered indepenPAGE 8 also be due to the city’s Democrat-dense dent and member of the Political Science population. expressing themStudent Association, regularly acts as the “Politicians and people on campus selves in a classconservative counterpoint during debates respond to general climate of what people room setting as well, Fabian said. in his club, and viewed a viable Republiwant here and that tends to be more lib“It can be a very hostile environment can presence as opportunity for a vivaeral,” said McDaniel, who specializes in for conservative students, very intimidatcious exchange of ideas. urban politics and voting behavior. ing for a student who doesn’t know much “I wish they were (here). It made for SF State falls under San Francisco’s about life but might have a general idea of great debates,” Brooks said. “It was nice 7th district, which had 55 percent of voters their beliefs,” he said. to have that conservative opinion, and that registered as Democrat and 14 percent Fabian recalled his experience in a quid pro quo.”

JUNIOR, PRE-NURSING

‘EVERYTHING SHE DOES IS FOR HER SON’

There’d have to be a good reason to have it. The only thing I can think of for a faculty strike was like they’re not getting fair pay or they feel that their teaching environment isn’t suitable for them. FRESHMAN, CHEMISTRY

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with him. I feel so guilty,” Hembrador said. “I should be home taking care of him.” Hembrador stays with her parents during the semester and, although they help out when they can, she has to drop off Kairese with the baby sitter during the week. A typical day starts when she wakes up at 7 a.m. and drops off Kairese at the babysitter. She arrives to work at the Asian American Women Artist Association by 9 a.m., then when she’s off at 3:30 p.m. she heads to SF State to make it to class by 4 p.m. Weekends are no time for leisure; some days she has to work 12-hour shifts. Monday and Friday she teaches a karate class at Karate Team USA while her little one watches off to the side. Hembrador’s karate instructor Andrew Rodriguez has known her for almost three years and admires how hard she works at keeping multiple jobs and going to school, still making time for her son. “She’s handled it pretty well because

everything she does is for her son,” Rodriguez said. “She makes me feel like I got to get three jobs just to keep up with her.” Before Hembrador became pregnant with Kairese, she was trapped in an abusive relationship that resulted in a miscarriage. Her parents saw her second pregnancy as a tragedy, but Hembrador saw it as her drive to succeed. Now that she has broken away from the abusive relationship and has full custody of Kairese she can concentrate on creating a better life for the both of them. “I wasn’t thinking straight back then,” Hembrador said. “But now Kairese motivates me to reach my goals.” an affordable place for child care. She currently pays her baby sitter $800 a month, but hopes she will be able to get into free childcare at the Early Childhood Education Center located on campus. ECEC Director Sarah Johnson said the center takes in about 81 student parents each semester, with undergraduate lowThere are more than 150 families currently

on the waiting list. “Families on the list can wait up to six months to a year,” Johnson said. “We try to accommodate everyone including students who’ve graduated still seeking childcare, but we have to enroll based on undergrad status and household income.” While she waits, Hermbrador focuses on other ways to get by. Hembrador said whenever she gets to spend time with Kairese outside at the park or at Chuck E. Cheese’s the goal is to get him tired because she can’t do her homework while he’s awake. She either has to leave the house to do it or wait until around 11 p.m. when he falls asleep. She usually gets her homework done around 3 a.m., which means she must consume at least three cups of coffee the following day. Not only will getting Kairese enrolled in the center save Hembrador money, it will also allow her to spend more time with him. “The best thing I can do for my son is to graduate,” Hembrador said. “I’m doing this for the both of us.”

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10.05.11

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GAY STUDENT OVERCOMES CULTURAL PREJUDICE cording to Amy Sueyoshi, director of the Race and Resistance Studies Program. “When you come out you risk losing not only your family, but also your community. For folks of color in the U.S., the family and the community are two ways in which it creates a kind of buffer or comfort in an America that is largely racist,” Sueyoshi said. “And so what folks of color then have to deal with if they come out and they lose their family and their community, is to be basically at sea in a white world where there is even less support.” Homophobic remarks and attitudes are extremely common in high schools and middle schools, with more than 80 percent of LGBT students of color in the United States reporting homophobic language, according to a 2009 survey by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. Because of environments such as these De La Torre used a “beard” throughout high school, a term used in his hometown to describe LGBT students who have heterosexual relationships as a cover. De La Torre had two girlfriends throughout high school, which he described mostly as uncomfortable, but something he had to do to avoid harassment. “It was awkward because it’s not something I wanted to do,” De La Torre said. “I really wanted to be able to come out but I knew it was dangerous to do it.” Four years after coming out, De La Torre is happy. He recalls the special moment when he said aloud, “I’m gay.” “I felt that happiness that makes your eyes water a little. This burden had been lifted off my shoulders I could feel the freedom,” said De La Torre about the time when he told his roommate he was gay. “I don’t give a shit anymore. It was just like I said it out loud and nothing happened. The world didn’t end, I didn’t get struck my lightning. It’s like, okay I’m done. I’m free.”

6 A R T S & E N T E R T A I N M EN T

10.05.11

Eating local next door

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Sunday morning farmers market offers a healthy, fresh alternative to big chain grocery stores.

kcrowell@mail.sfsu.edu

unday morning the Stonestown Galleria looks like it does most days. Cars make their way through the parking lot and teenagers saunter along with shopping bags as Muni trains rumble down 19th Avenue. However, the scene is wildly different in the shopping center’s back parking lot. Around the corner and into the western parking lot behind Macy’s is a sea of white tents and food trucks. Vendors and patrons gather there every Sunday morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for one of San Francisco’s lesser known farmers market. The market, which opened in June 2009, is one of the eight markets organized by the Agricultural Institute of Marin. Katy Chapman, who serves as manager for the market, said a large part of their strategy involves connecting consumers with farmers at the markets. “When you are shopping at a farmers market, you are making a difference,” Chapman said. According to Chapman, produce at supermarkets typically goes through a round weeks before arriving on store shelves. Compare that to the produce at the Stonestown market, which sometimes was hanging on a tree the previous day. The Stonestown market attracts a wide variety of vendors from the greater Bay Area and beyond. In an effort to maintain a market of local sellers, vendors must be based roughly within a 100 mile radius. Organizers and vendors alike hope to attract more local customers who might not even know the market exists. “We still get people who live here, even three blocks away, who don’t know about the market,” Chapman said.

HAYES VALLEY EDITION Hayes Valley has become a destination neighborhood in the last few years for those with some cash to burn. The streets are lined with upscale boutiques and manicured Victorian apartments. Still, its proximity to the bustling Civic Center neighborhood and Market Street mean that people from all walks of life pass through the area on a daily basis, and they all need to eat.

SWEET TOOTH

CHANTAL GUILLON MACARONS Some of those people include students who live within shouting distance from the market in student housing. When asked about the number of students at the market, vendor Michelle Lane said that while she sees a few, it would be great to see more. Lane is part of a small team of employees behind Teeny Cake, a small baketo-order cupcake bakery. They are regular

nizers seek to build. “I’ve gotten to see kids growing up, families coming and going, celebrations and hard times,” Lane said. “It is lovely to have that relationship with my customers.” The Stonestown market is uniquely different from others in the city. Whereas other markets are purely seasonal, the Stonestown market is year-round, and is

HINT: In the tradition of doing one thing and doing it well, Chantal Guillon serves up the best macarons in Hayes Valley. In addition to traditional flavors like pistachio and vanilla there are also more innovative flavors for the adventurous eater like rose and jasmine green tea.

“I think there are a lot of great food options as well as a great selection of produce,” Lane said. Asha Kalonia, an art major who lives on campus, didn’t even know about the market. “I usually buy groceries at Trader Joe’s or Safeway,” she said. Even though the market seems to be one of the lesser known in San Francisco, the customers who come on a regular basis tend to build lasting relationships with vendors. It is this connection that market orga-

other farmers market in San Francisco can offer. Chapman wants to bring the market to new audiences. Students who live on campus are in an especially advantageous position to take advantage of vendors at the market. Prices for fruit and vegetables at the market are consistently cheaper than what is carried at some chain supermarkets. In the end, Chapman said the philosophy is simple. “Eat good while doing good,” Chapman said.

CHEAP EATS

he attends six to 10 conferences a year to promote his project, which he started in 2001. Jacob Sulay, a student at the San Francisco Art Institute, said

spencerd@mail.sfsu.edu

When an artist is given free creative control, this power can sometimes all on one page. This energy was showcased at the 18th annual Alternative Press Expo Saturday and Sunday at the The Concourse Exhibition Center. The conference featured work ranging from independent publishers of web comics to individual artists. APE, a subsidiary convention of Comic-Con International, which hosts Comic-Con as well as WonderCon, is an attempt to educate about comic book artists and history. Focusing on alternative comics and art, it is a much smaller convention, boasting less than a quarter of Comic-Con’s 125,000 person attendance cap. Independent art welcomes a do-it-yourself mentality, offering a lot more freedom than working for a larger company like Marvel or DC Comics. Rather than working with pre-created worlds and characters, artists and writers can take the reins on their own creativity and run with it. project. I get to tell the stories that I want to tell,” said Alexis E. Fajardo, creator of the comic “Kid Beowulf.” “Batman, Superman, and Spiderman just aren’t that compelling to me because those stories have already been told.” For independent projects like Fajardo’s, the road is not necessarily easy; with creative control comes more on his plate. Although he has a publisher to produce his books, Fajardo said

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Arts & Entertainment

437 Hayes St.

variety created by independent artists did not disappoint him. “I really like how it’s unique, that it’s its own thing,” Sulay said. “There are so many independent styles rather than just being one big superhero theme.” For some independent artists, especially for web comics, a majority of funding comes from the sale of merchandise as well as advertising and appearances. Tom Neely, creator of works such as “The Wolf” and “The Blot,” publishes his own books but only because he also works as a freelance animator for Disney. While freelance animation is his day job, Neely said his independent works are what he enjoys most. “I’m not interested in working with other people’s characters,” Neely said. “Independent is a lot more work but I’m getting better at it I’d like to think, and I’m having more fun with it.” Former SF State student and conference attendee Robert Radkins said he loved the energy of APE because it really bolstered his creative energy. Radkins, previously a physics major who left SF State before graduating, said he has more time now to pursue his artistic endeavors. “I’m writing my own comic book and I’ve had the idea since high school,” Radkins said. “This is smaller, which is nice because the artists are there and I can see how it’s all done on a smaller scale.”

FLEET WEEK: AIR SHOW WITH BLUE ANGELS Friday, Oct. 7 6 p.m. at 24th Street

LEAP’S 28TH ANNUAL SANDCASTLE CONTEST Saturday, Oct. 8 10 a.m. at Ocean Beach

TOUR DE CUPCAKE Sunday, Oct. 9 1 p.m. at The Bike Kitchen Florida and 18th streets

ABSINTHE HINT: Not only is Absinthe the most romantic restaurant in the neighborhood, its stellar food and service make it the place to go when you want to celebrate any special occasion. Classic dishes like steak tartare and french onion soup are given the full gourmet treatment. 398 Hayes St.

WILDCARD

SUPPENKUCHE HINT: Germany isn’t exactly known for its rich culinary tradition, but it’s hard to find anyone who understands the magical pairing of beer and sausage better. Suppenkuche delivers an astonishing selection of beer and delicious German fare like potato pancakes. And of course, lots of sausage. 525 Laguna St.

AN XPRESS GUIDE TO DINING IN THE CITY. COMPILED BY A&E REPORTER KC CROWELL, WHO WENT TO SCHOOL FOR BAKING AND PASTRY ARTS, AND HAS COOKED HER WAY THROUGH A NUMBER OF RESPECTED BAY AREA RESTAURANTS.

10.05.11

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415-586-9400

VALUE MENU Parkmerced/ SF State/ Ingleside $ 99 each

Plus Tax

MEDIUM 1-TOPPING PIZZA

OVEN BAKED SANDWICH

TWO BREAD SIDES

BREADBOWL PASTA

CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRY NEWMAN CLUB Father Labib Kobti, Pastor 1300 Junipero Serra Blvd. San Francisco, CA 94132

www.stmchurch.com/newman email: newman@stmchurch.com Weekly Meeting, Cesar Chavez Student Center: Mondays: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Close to campus! Please call

PRESS

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- June 2, 2011

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8 OPINION

A PUBLICATION OF SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY EDITOR IN CHIEF kgoff@mail.sfsu.edu ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR sdonchey@mail.sfsu.edu PRINT MANAGING EDITOR caitpat@mail.sfsu.edu ART DIRECTOR nataliey@mail.sfsu.edu WEB DIRECTOR aarOn@mail.sfsu.edu

OPINION EDITOR maolson@mail.sfsu.edu

10.05.11

Conservative opinions missing on campus

or a university that prides itself as being one of the most diverse schools in the country, Republicans have become quite the endangered species on a liberal SF State campus. In fall 2010 the College Republicans,

We know there are plenty of liberals at SF State, but where have the opposing party views gone?

renew its status after seven years, leaving many students to wonder where the Republican population is hiding. It’s sadly reminiscent of the dwindling number of tigers in China. Former club president Carl Clark claimed that all the members graduated, leaving no one left to be a part of the club. But with more than 30,000 students attending SF State, there has to be more than a handful of Republicans on campus. SF State is known to lean to the left on most political issues, but it’s crucial to have an opposing voice on topics both inside the classroom and out.

A&E EDITOR sgraf99@mail.sfsu.edu

CITY EDITOR jterman@mail.sfsu.edu

versity needs to be able to represent opinions of all kinds. Many Republicans have reported to Xpress that they have received rude reactions in the past when they tried to share their viewpoints in class. A classroom should be an environment in which no students’ opinions are shunned. Have liberals become so tolerant that they have become intolerant of the opposing party?

COPY CHIEF cassbeck@mail.sfsu.edu

State is a campus that is known for protesting against conservative politics. But did we ever consider that sharing an open forum with Republicans could

CAMPUS EDITOR juand@mail.sfsu.edu

BREAKING NEWS EDITOR ch3no2@mail.sfsu.edu PHOTO EDITOR erikv@mail.sfsu.edu

SPORTS EDITOR gvasquez@mail.sfsu.edu MEDIA EDITOR griegojr@mail.sfsu.edu

say in a classroom, if they can’t listen and understand the opposing party now, then they never will. With the threads of rudeness and hostility, you can’t blame conservatives for hiding in the right-side corner. While the College Republicans did have incidents on campus that provoked negative responses, it’s time to put the past behind us. their voice and vote is valuable. If opposing party students begin to speak up more, then we will be able to vatives to come out of the woodwork. It takes two to tango.

ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR nenhenry@mail.sfsu.edu FACULTY ADVISER kanigel@mail.sfsu.edu

PHOTO ADVISER tucker@sfsu.edu ADVERTISING echarles@mail.sfsu.edu PRODUCTION & BUSINESS ggxads@mail.sfsu.edu CIRCULATION crayden@mail.sfsu.edu

Books becoming obsolete

With the title you want just a few clicks away, the real pages are a thing of the past.

nartavia@mail.sfsu.edu

Remember that public space that we used to travel to when we were kids? You know, a library. It’s where physical books lined an endless sea of wooden and metal shelves, and a librarian would help you you were looking for. Well, the card catalog has gone electronic and so has the process of checking out books. Even the books themselves are slowly disappearing. And now there’s the possibility of a virtual library where you can simply download ebooks to your Nook, Kindle or smart phone. It seems completely harmless. But it could do permanent damage to the library system and San Francisco’s 369,914 patrons. Libraries are gearing up to begin - if they have not already - renting e-readers to their patrons. Due to the high demand for this type of technology, libraries are slowly housing fewer physical books and are compensating by offering them as downloads. Currently there are 28 public libraries within the city of San Francisco not counting specialty libraries, or the one at SF State. All of them have shiny new selfcheck-out systems and offer e-books for rentals through the eLibrary which offers hundreds of titles available to download onto a Kindle. With an electronic library, like the one online retailer Amazon has been planning, what’s to keep people from just logging in to their account at home and queuing up “The Hunger Games” and the latest Anita Blake novel? Why even bother with the local public library? Amazon’s venture into creating an electronic library for books isn’t new. The idea has been tossed around like a hacky sack lately, going from Amazon to book publisher to author and back around again. However, it has yet to turn into a tangible idea for fear from publishers about what that would mean to the current world of books. Traveling to a library to browse through the stacks would become obsolete. People would be able to pick what they want when they want it. Library books are a novelty of our past. The time when we would be giddy and checking out a book are long gone. A shelf that we could always rely on for help with those science reports and those pesky term papers for college has changed. Books offer a more intimate experience when diving into new adventures, while electronic versions will take some of those elements away. And not only will they take away from the reading of books, but it will also take away from the atmosphere and experience you get when going to a library, browsing the shelves and getting lost and sidetracked in the stacks. Books are tangible, you can smell them - crisp and fresh when they’re new, slightly musky when they are old - and you can fold the spine back on a paperback. This will be lost when archives of books, new and old, are digitized for e-readers. It’s saddening to see technology slowly wiping out library books. Our children will not know what a library full of books looks like.

I.T. CONSULTANT arun@mail.sfsu.edu

The Golden Gate Xpress accepts letters no longer than 200 words. Letters are subject to editing. Send letters to Michelle Olson at: maolson@mail.sfsu.edu

The Golden Gate Xpress is a student-produced publication of the journalism department at San Francisco State University. For more information or comments, please contact Kelly Goff at: kgoff@mail.sfsu.edu

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sdonchey@mail.sfsu.edu

10.05.11

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Study abroad program encourages student travel kstanton@mail.sfsu.edu

While the students at SF State pursue their four year degrees, others search for new ways to expand their education and culturally enrich their lives. among the 23 California State University campuses for receiving the most applications to study abroad programs. SF State received 195 applications, followed by Sonoma State University, which received 92 student applications. study abroad programs in more than 20 different countries. Students can earn academic credit while participating in either semester or year-long programs. “Once you get on that plane and arrive where you are exchanging it’s completely breathtaking,” said Nicole Cuda, a sociology major who participated in the exchange program to tional Education Exchange Council, an organization that supports student exchange and international education on campus. Even though the IEEC is one of the newer organizations on campus, it has quickly become one of the largest and most active. They encourage students to participate in student exchange and international education as a way of culturally enriching their lives. “We introduce people from other cultures to San Francisco, our culture. We introduce American students to international students in order to make friends and if they are going to study abroad they can have connections, learn about other areas and get set up and have a stepping stone to their study abroad promember of IEEC. The IEEC also has different programs and committees raises money each semester to provide multiple study abroad scholarships. The language exchange program is a program where students teach others their native tongue. “Because we have members from all over the world, people offer their services of teaching their native tongue to other students who are interested in learning and that just aids the whole process of developing international education,” said Jamar Taylor, an international business major.

CFA calling for pay increases

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Send ads to faculty of SF State,” Dariotis said. It is expected that the impact to students will be equivalent to that of a furlough day, Tran said. The CFA is prepared to strike for more than one day, but it is its last resort. “(The CFA) does not want to strike,” Tran said. “If the administration gives in to demands, there won’t be a bigger strike and it will be a big victory for faculty and students.” Dariotis said that if there are other means to achieve a fair contract, then a concerted action could be avoided but that negations have gone on for over a year now. “I’m hoping we don’t have to resort to this because nobody is hoping for something like this to happen, you know, but our baraganing process has been going on for quite some time, for One of the main reasons behind the push for a strike is that the faculty wages have been disproportionate in comparison to the wages of members of the administration. Faculty wages were raised 27 percent in the past 13 years, whereas executives such as university presidents and the chancellor received a 71 percent increase in the same amount of time. They put so much effort into educating us and creating a better future for us that they deserve better pay,” said Katie Yamaguchi, pre-nursing major. While some students support the faculty’s cause, they still believe that it will be detrimental to their education. “I do support the cause but I don’t agree with the means and action that could be used to carry out their cause,” said Jose Medina, 23, psychology major. “I understand that professors aren’t being paid appropriate, fair wages and this could rectify and warrant a strike but I’m paying out my pocket right now for my education and I want to get my money’s worth. If teachers sign up for a job, they should at least go through with it.” Juan De Anda contributed to this report.

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10 S P O R T S

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SF State group teaches self-defense by promoting basic values and selfdiscipline in order to create a safer campus and community.

Club Taekwondo kicks students into gear

kealan@mail.sfsu.edu

NIVERSITY Police aren’t the only people working to keep SF State’s students safe. The members of the Taekwondo club, led by several high-degree black belts, work toward a safer campus by expanding their own knowledge of self-defense and teaching others. Master Bill Dewart, a disciple of Taekwondo for 45 years, is the volunteer leader of the Taekwondo club at SF State. Dewart is an eighth-degree black belt who has been teaching beginner Taekwondo at the University for four years. In 2007 he decided to create the club to allow students to take their skills to the next level. He hopes to spread the principles of selfdefense and respect to his students and the University as a whole. “I realized there was nowhere for students to go after they left my class,” Dewart said. “I wanted to give (the students) a chance to continue their training.” Club members have many personal goals, but on a social level they hope to create a safer campus for their peers. The members are putting on a seminar for both faculty and students Oct. 29 in Burk Hall from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The seminar, open to all ages and skill levels, will focus on self-defense and the importance of knowing how to protect yourself and your loved ones. Dewart also hopes to extend the ethics of Taekwondo: honesty, integrity, focus and achieving goals beyond people’s comfort zone. Dewart, with help from assistants Master Mike Wong and Master Evan Ballar teach their students about the emphasis of contributing to society.

Dewart said all members of the club who are proCPR in case of an emergency on campus. “You can’t measure your worth on this earth by money,” Dewart said. “It’s the question of ‘Was your community better off with you being a part of it?’” The members of the club expand on these values three times a week. “It’s nice to know I can defend myself and others if I have to,” said Jessica Canonoy, a freshman at SF State and member of the club. defense technique that was created by the club called “tiger defeats the bull.” Dewart said this idea is derived from a tiger-like stance and grab, and bull is conceptualized from bully. This concept was designed to be a practical, street-oriented defense mechanism that can be used by students.

Wong, also an eighth-degree black belt, hopes to inspire his students to teach others these kind of self-defense mechanisms along with Taekwondo values. Wong said he volunteers to persuade his students to challenge the world. “I want the next generation to have the tools to make a difference,” Wong said. Club president Jihong Oh, a junior at SF State, has been a part of the club for two years and said that being on the team has helped him to be more courageous. His role as president has taught him to be a leader and take care of his fellow members. “The (club) has taught me self-defense and self-discipline,” said Oh, an international business major. “(Taekwondo) gives me courage to do things and I hope it helps me in the future. I want to teach.” Oh said the sport has also helped to cultivate his relationships, a value taught to him by Dewart and Wong. The club is also preparing for their annual Friendship Tournament set for Nov. 19. The tournament is arranged by Dewart, who is the regional director for Amateur Athletic Union Taekwondo programs for California and Nevada. It will invite Taekwondo participants “friendly and competitive” environment. Each contestant will compete according to age, gender, weight and skill. Dewart continues to teach many levels of Taekwondo, but he enjoys his volunteer work at SF State because the students give him energy and he said he loves working with people who want to expand their horizons. “It’s not just setting goals, but breaking those goals down to achievable steps,” Dewart said.

Cox Stadium field suffers wear and tear Consistent overuse of the facility leaves groundskeepers, athletes and coaches frustrated at the often muddy and poor condition of their practice and game turf. jrwells@mail.sfsu.edu

In feel-good sports movies, the big game is always a visual and emotional treat. The stands are packed with tine. Never do you see dry patches or uneven surfaces, but at SF State that is what athletes face every day. Blame the budget, blame the weather, blame the foot

“It sucks, because especially there’ll be, like, a lot of mud piles so it’s like, you know, slipping or twisting your ankle (that we have to worry about),” Vanni said.

campus are not in the best condition.

known as ryegrass, but the annual bluegrass that grows naturally “outcompetes” the ryegrass, Evans said. The problem with this is that the annual bluegrass’s roots are shallower than the ryegrass’s, making it much easier to be torn out. The grounds crew fertilizes regularly by putting seeds down, but they don’t put the seeds into the soil. Evans said if they use too much fertilizer then the grass grows too much for the gardeners to mow. -

but track also uses the location for the hammer-throw event. Plus, it is easily accessible for any other students women’s soccer head coach Jack Hyde. “There is no According to head groundskeeper Phil Evans, trampled and dies. This produces a waxy substance that coats the ground. As a result, water sits on top of the soil instead of penetrating to deliver the moisture where it is needed most. “Sometimes if it even rains the day before you can’t practice on it because it’ll be so wet it’ll tear the whole thing apart,” said Nicole Vanni, a soccer player. “Last because it was so wet.” It’s not that the athletes are afraid of a little mud it’s injuries they’re trying to avoid.

“Players can tear out the grass in a few seconds, then the problem is growing it back,” Evans said.

“Last week they were trying to regrow some of the grass, so like, during the whole week of practice we had said. The players are doing what they can to make the best out of the situation.

“It should not look like this,” said men’s soccer coach Joe Hunter. “This is getting to the point now where it’s an embarrassment not only to the University, it’s an embarrassment to my team. (The University doesn’t) see the big picture. Nobody wants to take the out. That’s the biggest problem.” As it is, there is a lot of work that the athletes have to put in on their own. The baseball team in particular dedicates several hours to the upkeep of Maloney Field. Meckler, catcher. “We do a lot of the cleaning (for) the Baseball head coach Mike Cummins says it isn’t “We maybe do more work than our players would like but I think it’s an important part of building a program,” he said. “With the budget issues we have here… it all kind of depends on the structure of the school. The A few years ago, the University started to explore

tage,” said soccer player Andrew Chansky. “Teams come in here, they’re not expecting these kinds of conditions and we’re practicing in it every day. We’re used to it.” Others are not so forgiving.

to Hunter, but that idea was scrapped because the track team would need to move some of its events elsewhere. “In the long run, it’d probably be cost effective,” Cummins said. “But, up-front costs, it’s going to be a good price tag. Obviously, we’d love to have that, but with the economy the way it is I don’t think it’s in the foreseeable future.”

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S P O R T S 11

| GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG PLAYER

ZULEIMA JIMENEZ

WEEK

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

of the

Xpress has chosen Zuleima Jimenez as the Gator athlete of the week. Saturday. Her 21-minute, 57-second time in the 6K race was the third

GATORS’ SPORTS SCHEDULE FRIDAY, OCT. 7 CROSS COUNTRY SF State Invitational; Women at 2:30 p.m., and Men at 3:15 p.m. (San Francisco, Calif.) WOMEN’S SOCCER SF State at Cal State East Bay at 4:30 p.m. (Hayward, Calif.) MEN’S SOCCER SF State at Cal State East Bay at 7 p.m (Hayward, Calif.) VOLLEYBALL SF State vs. Humboldt State at 7 p.m. (San Francisco, Calif.) SATURDAY, OCT. 8 VOLLEYBALL SF State vs. Sonoma State at 7 p.m. (San Francisco, Calif.) SUNDAY, OCT. 9 MEN’S SOCCER SF State at Cal Poly Pomona at 11:30 a.m. (Pomona, Calif.) WOMEN’S SOCCER SF State at Cal Poly Pomona at 2 p.m. (Pomona, Calif.)

SCORES FROM THE LAST WEEK OF GATOR SPORTS

MEN’S SOCCER Sept. 30 SF State vs. CSU

LOSS Dominguez Hills 0-1 Oct. 2 SF State vs.

LOSS Cal State L.A. 0-3

WOMEN’S SOCCER Sept. 30 SF State vs. CSU

LOSS Dominguez Hills 0-1

LOSS

Oct.2 SF State vs. Cal State L.A. 0-1

VOLLEYBALL WIN

Sept. 30 SF State at CSU Dominguez Hills 3-0

WIN

Oct. 1 SF State at Cal State L.A. 3-1

LOSS

Oct.2 SF State at Cal Poly Pomona 1-3

MEN’S CROSS-COUNTRY 1st of FIVE

Oct. 1 SF State at Sonoma State Invitational

Siblings serve it up family style

jrwells@mail.sfsu.edu

play in grass court doubles tournaments. “Our whole family’s always been close,” Jason said. “Me and Michelle… growing up, we argued, basic brother and sister stuff. I think our mom instilled in us just a love for each other and for family.” In 2008 Michelle was hired to restart the University’s volleyball program, and she knew immediately that Jason would be the one to help. “I don’t know if I gave him a choice,” she said with a laugh. “It’s just kind of one of those things that whether it’s helping out with the team or helping out with my son, it’s kind of, you

weeknight or weekend games he still

printing company in Concord, and deOR THE signs and makes all of the team’s gear. SF STATE Michelle said it meant a lot to her to VOLLEYBALL know she can count on her family. Even TEAM’S HEAD though their mother passed away six COACH AND years ago and Lisa is an assistant coach ONE OF THEIR at Eastern Washington University, the ASSISTANT family retains its close bond. COACHES, the Still, Michelle and Jason are just like sport is more than any other siblings. just a passion or livelihood - it’s a family “(We) fought all the time. It’s kind affair. of a hard dynamic to explain,” Michelle That’s because head coach Michelle Patton, 35, and her brother, assistant and the arguing to where we always took coach Jason Patton, 38, come care of each other, but that’s my from a family of volleyball whole family.” players. Michelle was an assistant The love of volleyball Michelle and Jason Patton’s familial coach at the University of Wyostarted with their mother, bond and history with the sport helps ming when her mother passed Virginia, who was playing at a away. She was happy to accept facilitate team dynamics. park one day when she met a the SF State’s job offer for man named Scott Patton. She several reasons, but she said she taught him how to play the ask and he probably feels obligated but was “coming home no matter what.” game, something they would later pass “To be able to come back to the on to their three children: Lisa, 48; Jason for.” area you grew up in and actually have a and Michelle. Jason commends his sister for all coaching job at this level, I don’t know “We’d go to open gyms as a family of the hard work she has put in with if it’s lucky but it’s very rare to be able and almost have a full team walking in the team. He said people don’t realize to get back to your hometown,” Mithe door,” laughed Jason. how much work goes into being a head chelle said. “I’m very blessed with that.” Michelle said they even played volcoach, when the program was being Having her older brother as an asleyball inside. completely rebuilt. sistant is an added bonus. “It was a fun household to grow up He said he enjoys coaching with his in,” Michelle said. “We broke Christmas sister because the two can bounce things pretty feisty on the bench. I know what I trees and lamps but our house has high want to happen and if it’s not happening, ceilings and my mom didn’t really mind, off of each other. “I can kind of be an ear to listen and I’m very direct,” Michelle said. “I know she was just glad we were having fun. tell her my thoughts about what she’s that sometimes that brother-sister frusShe wasn’t too stressed about the little saying or what she needs to do,” Jason tration can be there but he’s very good at stuff like that.” getting (what I want) done.” It helped that in the Patton household said. “It works well, I think.” Player Iris Tolenada says it’s obvious Underneath everything, the layer of volleyball was a choice, not a burden. that her two coaches are related. trust their parents fostered in the family Neither Michelle nor Jason, nor their “It’s pretty funny when they both remains strong.“Volleyball was such a older sister Lisa, were ever forced to big part of our lives,” Jason said. play.“It’s in our blood,” Michelle added. play, like against us, because they both play like brother and sister,” Tolenada “Just growing up and having someThere is a large age difference said. “You can tell they grew up playing one that does the same thing and loves between Jason, Michelle and Lisa, so it volleyball together. It’s just the chemisthe same thing as you… It was a great was the two younger siblings that spent try they have on the court.” thing, you know, something I’ll always the most time together. As children, Although Jason can only make it to remember.” Jason and Michelle often teamed up to

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