Volume 45, Issue 11

The Point student newspaper of point loma nazarene university

monday, april 25, 2016

Features, page 3

volume 45 | issue 11

A&E, page 5

Sports, page 6

Opinion, page 8

More on Loma Beat!

Remembering Ryan Library’s Beryl Pagan

BY JONATHAN SOCH

STAFF WRITER

With National Library Week having passed, Ryan Library will continue to reflect on what has made it special.

One of the library’s instructional services librarian, Beryl Pagan, died on Monday after working at PLNU for 22 years.

Pagan was hospitalized on April 10th, due to breathing complications caused by birth defects. Her condition worsened until she passed in the early morning according to Philip Tyler, professor of music and Pagan’s cousin.

She was 53 years old.

“She had 12-14 percent of her lung capacity. So even though she was being assisted with a CPAP machine, it wasn’t enough to keep her alive and so she passed this morning at 3:10,” said Tyler on Monday, referring to the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine used to assist her in breathing.

In recent weeks Pagan’s health had declined and according to Tyler she had been suffering from a nose bleed caused by the CPAP device.

Pagan was the Ryan Library liaison for the Music department at PLNU along with the school of Theology & Christian Ministry and the department of Mathematical, Information & Computer Sciences.

Tyler, and many of Pagan’s coworkers at the library, remember her for her welcoming and friendly personality.

“Everyone she encountered was her best friend; I think that about sums it up,” said Tyler. “She was brilliant and brave and witty, and people at Starbucks kept misspelling her name, that’s one of the things she was famous for on Facebook.”

She had many responsibilities, but for years one of Pagan’s most noticeable jobs was demonstrated by the posters depicting the favorite books of the many students, faculty, and staff participating in National Library Week.

She made them all.

Every year the walls of the library’s foyer are lined with posters showing a small photo of the participant and a group of thumbnails – their five books – surrounding them as a modest form of identity.

It was a project that captured all of Pagan’s attention, according to those who worked with her. Even when her health made work difficult, she wanted to make sure the project was completed.

“She was really concerned that she hadn’t had a chance to get all the posters digitized and up on the website, because she does that every year,” said Dr. Denise Nelson about the project. “…She just wanted to make sure that the things that matter, happened.”

Nelson worked with Pagan as an

Instructional Services Librarian for 21 years. To her, Pagan’s friendliness was one of the most prominent aspects of her personality.

“Beryl made everybody feel like they were her best friend, and it was absolutely sincere,” said Nelson. “It’s like, if she knew you, she cared about you, and if she cared about you it wasn’t just like ‘Hey, how are you?’ it was like she wanted to know your life, she wanted to know what you were working on, she wanted to know what she could do to help.”

Pagan joined the university faculty in 1994 and was an alumna of Point Loma Nazarene College having received a Certificate in Computer Science in 1985, and a B.A. in Music Theory at Point Loma College the year before that. She earned a Masters in Library Science from UCLA the same year she came to PLNU where she would practice that vocation for more than two decades.

SEE BERYL, PAGE 5

PHOTO BY JONATHAN SOCH Instructional Service Librarian Beryl Pagan died on Monday, April 18.

Compassion Conference coming in July

BY SAVANAH DUFFY

STAFF WRITER

The Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) is launching back up after 15 years. The conference is for people with a passion for helping people in poverty and in need, who want to make a difference in their communities. The conference is at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois July 14-16.

The website states, “The Compassion Conference is a gathering designed for leaders, learners and practitioners from the Church of the Nazarene, but it is open to anyone interested in church-based holistic ministry.”

In the past, these conferences had been held by the NCM once every

three to four years, but NCM had not done so in 15 years. Director of NCM, Larry Bollinger, chose to start-up the conferences again.

The Compassion Conference website offers packages available needed to attend the conference, with prices ranging from $149-$499. The deadline to register for the conference is June 1.

PLNU Alumna ’10 Nell Becker Sweeden is in charge of structuring the conference and workshops.

Sweeden is an Education Coordinator for NCM. Sweeden said this is the first time the NCM has made the Compassion Conference a global event.

“We’re opening up a wider venue to talk about compassion in the broader church, so that’s exciting,” Sweeden said.

She added that there are roughly 500 people signed up to attend the conference.

Sweeden said the Plenary Session Team chose the speakers for the conference. One of the members of the Plenary Session Team is Robert Gailey, who is PLNU’s Director of the Center for International Development and Professor of Business. Gailey is also the Chair of the Board of the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Inc., which is a non-profit set up by the Nazarene Church that is separate from, but works with NCM. Gailey said a number of speakers associated with PLNU will be attending and helping with the conference, including Reverend Celestin Chishibanji, the NCM field coordinator

in the Central Field of the Church of the Nazarene’s Africa Region. Reverend Chishibanji has spoken in PLNU’s chapel and hosted LoveWorks teams.

Other PLNU associates who will be helping at the conference include Dr. Gailey; Jamie Gates, Professor of Cultural Anthropology in the Department of Sociology and Social Work; Brian Becker, Director of International Ministries; Esteban Trujillo, Associate Director of International Ministries; Ron Benefiel, lead consultant for Mission Resources and Pastoral Relations; and George Williamson Director of Worship Arts.

Gailey stated that he would like students to return from the Compassion Conference with an excitement for reaching out to the communities

with a Wesleyan approach to compassion, meaning that compassion is shown to those in need with the intent of displaying God’s love and the hope that people will come to know Jesus through experiencing that love.

Gailey gives the example of America’s hesitancy to take in Syrian refugees out of the fear that some immigrants may be a threat. Gailey said he hopes that the response of the Church is to accept and love the refugees, regardless of the fear some Americans may be facing.

“You might still be scared, but you have to say ‘love overcomes fear.’ Love has to be the thing that drives what we do and how we act because that’s what Christ calls us to. Even at the risk of our lives,” Gailey said.

the point | monday, april 25, 2016

2 | NEWS

Investigation: safety on campus

BY ANDREW EAKES NICK KJELDGAARD SAMANTHA WATKINS

STAFF WRITERS

Is Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) as safe as many students claim to think?

Last week, Public Safety sent an email to the student body notifying students of an alleged attempted assault. “(…) On the evening of Thursday April 14, 2016 an alleged off campus attempted assault was reported to DPS,” Public Safety wrote. “Location was reported as Moana Drive near campus. The student was assisted in filing a report with San Diego Police Department (...)”

In March, Public Safety told The Point that they conducted a lockdown drill. They said the drill was a huge improvement of PLNU’s safety compared to where the university was five to ten years ago.

Public Safety reported to The Point that the text messages were delivered successfully to 3,000 people in less than ten seconds, but also admitted that there are “still many students and employees without valid mobile numbers listed in their contact information.”

Instances like these might call in to question what sort of crime surrounds PLNU as well as on campus.

A big part of what makes up PLNU’s campus culture is staff and faculty. While many students can attest to being invited over to a professor’s house for dinner or even just meeting up with a faculty member at Bobby B’s; how well do actually know these people?

Staff writers from The Point looked into the court history of

Most of the time spent was researching the San Diego County court database. The San Diego County court database lists different cases: civil, criminal, domestic, mental health, and probate cases in San Diego County.

A civil case is when a plaintiff claims that the defendant failed to carry out legal duties owed to the plaintiff or caused damage or injury.

Examples of civil cases could include a driver suing another driver after a car accident.

Criminal cases occur when the defendant is accused of a crime whether it’s a misdemeanor for minor crimes or a felony for violent or more serious crimes. Drunk driving, theft, and murder are all criminal crimes but on different levels.

Domestic cases typically involve family. They can between parents like a divorce or involve children like child support.

A probate case mainly deals with administering a deceased person’s will or handling the estate of a deceased person without a will. The probate court is also responsible for determining if the will is authentic.

Cases outside the county were not looked into.

In the initial request to receive lists of faculty members including adjuncts, some departments declined to cooperate, so names were pulled off of the internet, specifically on PLNU’s department home pages.

The total list of names compiled added up to 237 people out of PLNU’s reported 2,187 employees. The total reported number of employees (2,187) came from IRS filings of PLNU in 2014.

Of these 2,187 names, The Point searched for 237 of the names in a database with the San Diego

the court documents that matched PLNU employees were referenced with resumes, thesis papers, website profiles, voter registration, and social media.

The research revealed that the final number of staff and faculty that had court cases was 14.

In breaking down these 237 individuals, we found that employees we confirmed were from two of PLNU’s seven colleges and schools.

The two schools were the College of Arts and Humanities and the College of Natural and Social Sciences.

Of these 14 people, we confirmed seven from the College of Arts and Humanities and seven from the College of Natural and Social Sciences. Out of the 14 people who matched to court records not one was matched to a criminal case.

From the College of Art and Humanities, the seven people combined to have five civil cases and four domestic cases. The College of Natural and Social Sciences combined to have five civil cases and three domestic cases. Some people in

both colleges had multiple cases.

Recent safety concerns on campus have stemmed from security malfunctions in the lockdown drill.

A software glitch occurred which resulted in alert beacons not activating at Young Hall or Nicholson Commons. The blue emergency beacons spread out on campus were too new to be included in the test; these towers would have made an audible alert but did not.

“ITS is working to improve the reliability of these systems but they have already vastly improved our emergency alert capabilities,” Kaz Trypuc, public safety supervisor, told The Point.

But even with the recent assault near campus and the outcome of the lockdown drill, students are not worried.

“I never feel unsafe,” said Emily Fisher a junior writing major.

Max Butterfield, the assistant professor of psychology at PLNU said, “Part of that comes from the fact that many students come from environments where crime isn’t a daily concern, and so they never developed

the type of self-protective behaviors that people from other backgrounds may have,” said Butterfield.

In fact, it is not uncommon for students to leave their dorm rooms unlocked or cell phones in charging stations across campus.

“My dorm feels very safe to me and I leave my phone or laptop when I go to the Caf,” Fisher said.

Taylor Foley, a sophomore literature education major agrees with Fisher.

“I actually just left my laptop for an hour and a half to go eat in the caf but I felt safe enough to leave it because things normally don’t get stolen,” Foley said.

Butterfield attributes that another reason people feel safe on campus is that, “it’s hard to be anonymous here.

A potential thief wouldn’t be stealing a laptop; they’d be stealing a laptop that likely belongs to someone they know.”

Fisher agrees that PLNU’s small student body helps with the safety.

“Usually I recognize people and someone would know if someone took my laptop or phone,” Fisher said.

“As a result, we have a close-knit community with a lot of personal accountability built in.

People know that and it makes them feel safe,” Butterfield said.

With the mindset that “people feel safe here” as Butterfield mentioned, an investigative piece was conducted to find out just how safe PLNU is.

Research started for the project in February and continued for several months.

The data and numbers that were crunched show that PLNU’s staff, faculty, and professors have a predominantly clean record.

What information is public and why: Information like your birth date, voter registration, and criminal history are accessible to the public. Of course, this is only if they know where to look and what databases to use. This information is public because of several laws. These laws are at the Federal, State, and local levels and include: Federal • The First Amendment • The Freedom of Information Act State • California Public Records Act • The Brown Act • Proposition 59 Local • Proposition D PLNU professors, staff, and faculty.

County court. Names listed on

BY SAMANTHA WATKINS

STAFF WRITER

April 14, Public Safety notified the campus that there was an alleged attempted assault off of Moana Drive.

Using MegansLaw.ca.gov people who are listed as sexual predators that live near campus, colony, or where the shuttle drops students off can be seen using this site.

If you live in Colony, PLNU’s off campus apartments at the address: 2101 Chatsworth Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107, there is one sexual predator that lives on Chatsworth Blvd.

Here’s what we found if you live on campus or take the shuttle off campus, especially to the Target area.

This list is meant to make you aware of your surroundings and to suggest being cautious if traveling alone, especially at night in any of the areas listed above. The names above only include sex offenders who were listed on Megan’s Law because of assaulting another person.

If you want to check where sex offenders are in your area use the website we did: meganslaw.ca.gov

monday, april 25, 2016 | the point

NEWS | 3

Dr. Lynn Reaser predicts healthy economy

BY PHILLIP WARD

STAFF WRITER

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce the U.S.’ most recent economic recovery is the slowest since World War II, the third slowest in U.S. history.

The U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) has increased by 2.1 percent, adjusted to for inflation, since the recovery from the 2007 housing market crisis and the recession started in the middle of 2009.

Productivity growth – how efficiently the economy uses resources – increased 1 percent per year on average since 2009. That is not only the lowest number of all previous recovery periods since WWII but is less than half the rate of all but the 1.7 percent increase during the recovery from the 1974 downturn.

The U.S. economy operates below its potential GDP growth, the rate at which the economy could grow with full employment and stable inflation, since the recession.

In earlier post-war recoveries, the economy has returned to its potential GDP in an average of about 11 months. The U.S., in over six years, has still not reached its potential GDP. Many believe that the fragile nature of the current recovery indicates recession might be closer than people think.

“With the US economy barely growing at stall speed, an exogenous shock to the US economy could easily push us into recession,” said Economist John Mauldin in a weekly newsletter.

Dr. Lynn Reaser, chief economist for PLNU’s Fermanian Business and Economics Institute (FBEI), has a dif-

ferent opinion.

“While growth in the U.S. was minimal in the first quarter [of 2016], there are few signs of a pending downturn,” Reaser said via email.

She pointed out that instead there are some good indicators that the economy is rather healthy.

“Job growth is solid, unemployment continues to fall, and wage gains are starting to pick up,” she added.

Unemployment rates are at their lowest, around 5%, since the recession with highs of 10 percent. That rate is close to what the Federal Reserve estimates the natural rate of unemployment is, 4.8 percent.

The statistics are doubted because the workforce hasn’t seen any significant increase in real wages since the recession. Wages are increasing by about two percent per year but inflation is too around the same rate, wip-

ing out any real wage gains.

However, this year inflation rates have been very low and wage increases have increased to about two and a half percent, which are significant real wage gains.

The stock market had one of the worst starts to a year in the history of the stock market with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) dropping from around 17,400 to 15,700 from January to mid-February.

The market has rebounded steadily, however, to around 18,000 regaining all of that lost ground and then some indicating that investors have faith in the future of the economy according to Google Finance.

Reaser had more good news.

“The dollar’s recent decline has made our exports more competitive while firming oil prices are helping the depressed energy sector,” Reaser said.

All of these things point to a relatively robust U.S. economy with no sign of recession in the near future.

However, there are those that have slightly more pessimistic views of the future mainly focusing on the potential for unstable global markets to drag the U.S. down into recession.

Mauldin, despite having incessantly predicted U.S. recession for a while now, acknowledged those recessions, while undesirable, aren’t an end all be all.

“I have lived through six recessions in my business life – and that’s the point: we do live through them,” Mauldin said.

the point | monday, april 25, 2016

4 | FEATURES

features

“...It was gratifying to have the leaders of the campus

THINK ON THAT

embrace what became a truly comprehensive mindset and daily practice to be responsible stewards individually and collectively.”

- Dr. Phil Bowles, see page 11

Tim Whetstone says goodbye to PLNU

BY SAMANTHA WATKINS

STAFF WRITER

This week PLNU announced that Tim Whetstone, the Director of Chaplain Ministries will be leaving his position at the end of this semester. While Whetstone served as the director he was much more than that to students playing an important role in their lives. From the spring break build to inviting students over, Whetstone has played a significant role on campus.

The Point sat down with him to reflect on his time here and what the future looks like.

The Point: How long have you been with PLNU? Tim Whetstone: So this is my fourth year here, seniors were freshman when I came.

TP: What first drove you to apply to PLNU? Whetstone: There were several reasons but one of the main reasons is because of three main people who reached out to me. I didn’t even know the position was posted, but a really close friend encouraged me to apply. I

PHOTO COURTESY OF TIM WHETSTONE Whetstone has served as PLNU’s director of Chaplain Ministries for four years.

did a lot of prayer and talking with my wife; we were in its Pittsburg at the time.

And so I followed through and applied.

TP: Can you elaborate on one or two of your fondest memories here?

Whetstone: There are so many. One

of them definitely is within the second week of working here, it was the spring break build. I met the students on the spring break build and two students on the trip who didn’t know each other got married last summer. I was privileged to

officiate that wedding and be a part of their lives for the past four years.

But there are so many beautiful memories that I have: the NSLC conferences, the retreats, the traveling, the one on one conversations on sunset deck or watching the sunset, playing intramurals, or having students shocked that I would do that is fun and beautiful.

TP: What made you decide to leave?

Whetstone: I think in short just knowing the timing has come. I can’t elaborate anymore.

TP: Did anyone or anything play a crucial role in this decision?

Whetstone: I mean there are always people who play a role in that decision.

TP: What is your next step or plan?

Whetstone: No decision has been set. I am not sure what is next but I do know that it will be in ministry still in some form or capacity.

Right now my wife and I are both seeking new employment in different places and having several different conversations in regards to next steps.

Those are exciting. It is exciting to have those right now for both she and I. Nothing has materialized yet but we are hopeful for the future. Most of the opportunities are on the west coast, so we won’t go far.

TP: Is there anything that you would like to leave the students with?

Whetstone: I preached on it yesterday with three things I hope to encourage you all and this place as an institution. They were that one, we can be children of God and that we are loved

by God and that love is not for us to keep but to give away.

My final words is that we live into a new way of being, being loved and loving others. It is an immeasurable and unstoppable force that can change this world even if it is one relationship at this time. I would be so happy for PLNU to always be known as a place that is God centered, and other focused because of love.

Local look: a vacation from homelessness

BY MACKENZIE LEVEQUE

STAFF WRITER

“I’m the one with the orange Gary Fisher bicycle with the handlebars loaded down with bags,” she texts me.

“Very embarrassing feeling.”

I get in my car and head over to the Fashion Valley Transit Center. The old transit center where she is waiting, one that many homeless individuals use for transport, is located on the opposite side of a high end retail mall, a sharp juxtaposition between two worlds. As I drive to meet her, the texts kept coming.

“Oh, I have white tennis shoes on, jean shorts, a white spaghetti strap and a black and red plaid shirt over it. I probably won’t have the black and red plaid over shirt on when you get here because it’s getting kind of hot.”

As I turn into the shopping center parking lot, I wonder about Marny. On the phone, Marny told me that she is staying in hotels for a few days because she has gotten some money from a friend.

She checked out of a Best Western this morning and is checking into the Town and Country this afternoon at 3 p.m. She offered to let me meet her at 2:30 and go through the check in process with her before our interview.

I park my car and walk over to the transit center. She is sitting on a bench, the unforgiving sun hitting her harshly as she waits. I see her before she sees me.

She has long hair to her waist. Her shorts are short and she has indeed taken off her red and black plaid shirt, wearing now only a white tank top.

She smiles when she notices me, though her eyes are tired under her sparkly eyeshadow. We say hello and begin walking to the Town and Country, making small talk about the weather.

When we reach the lounge, she parks her orange bicycle outside, leaving the three bags that contain all of her belongings piled on top. I worry that they will be stolen, but she doesn’t seem concerned

as she pushes down the kickstand and leads the way into the lobby.

While we wait in line, Marny tells me about her current living situation.

“For the past ten years, I lived in a beautiful house with a friend of mine,” she said. “I met him a long time ago; I clean houses and he was helping one of my clients move. He’s gay and he has HIV and his wife lives in a separate house. He’s also a hoarder. I don’t really understand that situation, but his wife has a trust fund so they are set for life. I helped him and stayed there with them.”

The situation changed, however, when the couple decided to move to Iowa to pursue a real estate opportunity.

This was a shock to Marny, who was now forced to find somewhere to live on very little income.

“I have clients that trust me enough to give me the keys to their house, but I just don’t charge enough,” she says. “Life is just so expensive. It’s expensive just to eat.”

This is not the first time that Marny has found herself without a place to live. In 2001, Marny left her abusive exhusband and was forced to live on the streets for a brief period of time. She says that after she and her daughters left the house, her ex-husband burned it down.

“It’s a scary time living on the streets,” she said. “The police harass you. Once you’re homeless it’s like you’re banned from society.”

Marny has four daughters who were living with her at the time when she was living on the streets. They were taken from her care shortly after.

“A kid shouldn’t be raised that way,” said Marny. “It was horrible. I was okay, but it wasn’t okay for them.”

Marny’s daughters are certainly not alone in having experience living on the streets. According to a 2014 KPBS article, “the number of homeless children at San Diego city schools has nearly doubled since last year.” The article said that the lingering effects of the recession

and housing collapse may contribute to this increase in homelessness. With household economics strained, many families simply can’t afford to buy a place to live.

Marny tried to live in a shelter, but she didn’t feel comfortable there either.

“I went to a shelter but I didn’t belong there,” she said. “It was kind of like being in jail or the military. You had to get up really early. And the people who lived there were real homeless people. They were just living day to day.

They just wanted a meal and a bed. At the shelter they had programs to help us, but I don’t think I am patient enough to do a program.”

One of these programs that Marny did not have patience for was a rehabilitation program called 211 San Diego said that Kiva is “a long term residential treatment program for women, with and without children, who are seeking help for alcohol and other drug addiction.” This program lasts between four to six months, during which patients get both individual and group counseling, treatment planning, on-site daycare, parenting classes, and many other services.

The location is confidential and the program goes from four to six months.

Marny lasted six days.

Marny has struggled with drug and alcohol dependency since high school.

She attributes this to her family history.

“My childhood was wonderful until my parents got divorced,” she says. “We had a beautiful house and a perfect family. When they got divorced, my whole world changed. They sold the house and my mom and I left with everything in a truck.”

She pauses, tears streaming down her face.

“Nine years old is—well, you get a taste of the good life and you get that taken away from you.

My mom got a boyfriend, and he abused her. She was always drunk. When

she would pick me up from school, she would side swipe other cars in the parent car line. Not just once, but all the time.

She never was drunk before the divorce.”

She wipes the tears from her face and continues.

“When I was fourteen years old, I went to go live with my dad again. He is a wonderful man. But that five years. That five years affected my whole life. I was a straight A student in high school.

But then – when I was a senior – it was like those five years suddenly became a part of me. That part of my mom came into me. I started getting into drugs and alcohol. I don’t know why that happened.”

Now, we are at the front of the line and Marny begins verifying her information with the woman behind the desk. This woman is wearing a camisole also, but hers is a light lavender and covered by a checkered blazer.

“What brings you here?” She asks.

Marny smiles at the woman across the desk.

“I’m coming here to get away.”

The woman smiles back blankly.

She doesn’t understand, of course she couldn’t, but somehow I find myself blaming her for her cheerful responses.

This isn’t a cheerful situation.

I offer to help Marny with her bags, but she says she can handle them.

As we walk, we make small talk about the location of the room. Marny hopes that it isn’t too far away from the main entrance and that it is on the bottom floor.

“I had to leave the last hotel because it was just not safe,” she says. “It was so far away from the door and it was on the third floor.”

When we finally find the room, it is a fair distance from the hotel entrance, but it is on the first floor. Marny declares it much nicer than the last room and so we walk in and sit down.

Once seated, we return back to our previous conversation.

“Are there people that would help you?” I ask her. “Do they know you’re homeless?”

Marny answers without pause.

“Oh yes,” she said. “I have wonderful, wonderful parents. They would help me. My mom went through rehab – she finished the Kiva program – and she’s good now. And my dad, well, he has always been wonderful. My friends would definitely want to help too.”

This is fairly typical of many individuals who are living in hotels or on the streets. According to Dr. Patricia Leslie, facilitator of the Regional Continuum of Care Council, part of the Regional Task Force on the Homeless (RTFH), many homeless people have people in their lives that would or could help them. She cites two reasons for this: first, these individuals have people in their lives that could help but that they feel they have strained relationships with already. The other reason is because being independent is more important to them than being comfortable.

“Why?” I ask her. “Why don’t you let them?”

Marny sighs, the weight of her life collapsing on to her body as she considers this.

“I don’t want to bother them,” she says finally. “I’m an adult, I’m supposed to figure this out myself. I don’t want people to have to take care of me, they did their job as parents already. I just want my kids to be proud of me.

“I just – I’m going to be okay, you know? I am. I am going to be okay.”

monday, april 25, 2016 | the point

FROM BERYL, PAGE 1

As a member of the Association of Christian Librarians (ACL) she served as publicity coordinator of the Christian Periodical Index Team and was honored as the organization’s “Volunteer of the Year” award in 2011.

At the time of her death she was serving as Member and Chair of PLNU’s Faculty Retreat Committee as well as Board Secretary and Board Member of the San Diego First Church of the Nazarene.

“She lived her Christian life as a real testimony to faith in Christ and to God’s keeping in her life, and she was always one of the folks you could just count on,” said university President Bob Brower.

One of the things Pagan leaves behind is a recognition among those who cared for her of all the things she loved, including music, literature, the Padres and her work at the university.

Every homecoming she would encourage everyone to eat at Miguel’s Cocina, said Brower, there the restaurant would offer a 10% contribution for music scholarships.

“It personified her helping-others kind of lifestyle,” Brower said.

Her respect for the restaurant got her noticed. Among her coworkers she was called “the restaurant Queen,” said Doug Fruehling via email, he too was one of her fellow librarians at Ryan Library.

According to him the wait staff at Miguel’s would recognize her, and when-

FEATURES | 5

ever she visited they would approach and ask simply, “‘the usual?’”

The “usual” was not on their menu but something she ordered repeatedly.

“It was an order Miguel’s happily filled,” said Fruehling.

Pagan had been taught piano by her mother as a young girl, according to Nelson. Her love for music pervaded much of her life, and when she adopted a stray cat which turned out to be deaf, it seemed only fitting that she name it Beethoven.

One of the few things she may have loved as much as music was the Padres.

During Brower’s occasional visits to Petco Park, he would sometimes run into Pagan and there the two could talk about baseball. Her love of America’s game was something those who knew her, knew best.

“She was always at a Padres game, or she was with friends, or she was doing music, or she was involved in the church, or invested in the lives of students, so she was never passive in life,” said senior Emily Lehman, a student library worker for the past two years, “she was always proactive.”

Lehman shared Nelson’s perception of Pagan as someone who found interest in how things were going with others, someone with whom a conversation was more than just surface level.

According to Nelson, she always wanted to connect with people, and to help them with whatever they were

PHOTO COURTESY OF DENISE NELSON Beryl Pagan worked at PLNU as a Instructional Services Librarian for 22 years.

working on.

“You know there are some people who are just cheerleaders in life? Beryl was in every way a cheerleader for every person she knew,” said Nelson.

“Beryl was the heart and soul of Ryan Library, and she will be terribly missed,” said the Director of Ryan Library, Frank

Quinn via email.

When students and faculty walk into the library, there on the walls are posters for everyone who participated in National Library Week.

On the left side: tucked unassumingly into the many symbols of all her life’s hard work is Pagan’s own

favorite books, the Harry Potter series, a memoir by U2’s “Bono,” Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Cary Elwes’ “As You Wish,” and “The Princess Bride” by William Goldman.

San Diego’s modern day farmers

BY MACKENZIE LEVEQUE

STAFF WRITER

The ratty haired guitar player croons “You’ve Got a Friend in Memphis” while the scent of fresh tamales wafts tantalizingly your way. You turn the corner and the scene changes again: now a pubescent boy is playing the violin while a vendor extols the merits of seasoning salt. It is loud and a bit overwhelming, but warmly friendly, like a huge family reunion. You are invited.

If America is a melting pot, then farmer’s markets are part of the broth.

At the Little Italy Mercato, experiences from various cultures and imaginations are present.

While walking through the market, you might find a handmade magic wand or a bouquet of flowers, both sold within feet of one another. If you’re hungry, food from all over the world is readily available, from vegan hummus to jalapeno relish. The two farmer’s markets

differ in size and traffic, but find their similarity in the diversity that they offer visitors.

Little Italy Mercato boasts 200 vendors on five blocks of West Cedar Street from Kettner Boulevard to Front Street.

It is open every Saturday, rain or shine, according to its website, LittleItalySD. com. The top of the market hosts vendors selling unique jewelry and art and gifts.

One of the vendors in this section is jewelry maker and business owner Lori Roark. She has had a stand at the Little Italy Mercato for seven years. After recognizing that corporate life was not for her, she decided to create her own line of jewelry and sell it at the market once a week. Roark cherishes the sense of community of the market that she did not find in an office job.

“It’s a family,” she said. “We all help each other.”

Another member in the art section family is Kellie Cunningham, creator

of the clothing brand Think Positive Apparel. She designs and manufactures clothing decorated with symbols made up of positive messages written in tiny script.

Cunningham noted the sense of diversity within the Little Italy Mercato, stating that lots of tourists visit the area due to attractions such as the Old Town trolley tour or cruise.

“I like the international tourists,” said Cunningham. “It is cool to know that your products are spreading worldwide.”

As you work your way down the market, you will find the produce and farming section, where more than 40 California farmers bring their meat, cheeses, vegetables, fruits, flowers and more to the market for those looking for fresh products. Every week, both international tourists and neighborhood residents flock to these stands in search of their own original treasure or snack.

Erika Mikolich’s family sells honey in this section of the market. The business,

aptly named “Mikolich Family Honey,” is run by Erika’s father, two brothers, and sisters.

Her dad has been a beekeeper since 1985, when he began the business. Her mother used to be a schoolteacher, but has recently retired and joined the business as well.

Erika too tried her hand at a different job for a couple of years but eventually decided to come back and work with her family. She likes the Little Italy Farmer’s market for its quick pace. “Time goes fast because there are so many customers,” she said.

David Meade also works in a family business, selling sauces with his sister in a business called “Baby Clydesdale.” He said that the name was inspired by the fact that the sauce is sweet, yet has a kick.

He started coming to Little Italy Mercato back in July.

When describing the process of attaining a permanent spot, he originally said that attaining a spot was all due to

“cronyism and nepotism.” However, after he was corrected by a stern look from his sister, he rephrased, saying that the process was very similar to the process of dating.

“They start you off with date one and then you keep going and trying it out until they decide that you are married,” he said. He likes this market because of the potential to reach many customers and sell his products. “It makes me feel like a rockstar,” he said. “I sell out of everything.”

Little Italy Mercato is a hodgepodge of various trinkets and treats, smells and sounds. PLNU finance and accounting major Karina Guerrero summed up the experience as “entrepreneurship in America at its finest.”

6 | FEATURES

A journey from sailor to student

BY OMBRETTA DI DIO

STAFF WRITER

Eight years ago, Alan Jacques said goodbye to his life as a serviceman.

Today, he is a senior biology major at Point Loma Nazarene University.

Before coming to PLNU, Jacques was a Navy Rescue Swimmer in the U.S. Navy. “I used to work on helicopters. I made sure that all Navy personnel was onboard, and I would ensure all press members were seated. You know, I allowed ‘no shenanigans,’” Jacques said.

The student veteran is not alone in his decision to pursue a higher education. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, more than one million student veterans were enrolled in college or universities as of 2013.

Jacques said he never thought he would go back to college.

“At some point, though, I was dating a girl who was in college,” he said. “She shared her experience with me, and I wanted to learn more about that. I wanted to be part of something similar, so I enrolled in community college,” he said.

PLNU was the next obvious choice, “Point Loma has one of the premier debate teams in the country, and I was involved with the speech and debate team at community college. Plus, I wanted to study biology, and I knew Point Loma pushes students toward research, which is something I wanted to do.”

But transitioning from the military was not easy. He had to relearn how to be a student, “I came from a world where everything was about performance, but in school everything is about knowledge.

I have adjusted as well as a 30-year-old – being in an environment tailored for 20-year-old students – could [adjust].”

At PLNU, Jacques found the Student Veteran Organization. The staff advisor for the organization, David A. Ah Sing, said the group has 60 members, and it includes military dependents and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, “Anybody can join the organization. We want to educate people about life before and after the military.”

Student veterans frequently ask Ah Sing about financial aid and the types of support the university offers. “They [student veterans] are used to military support facilities like Fleet and Family or Family Support Center. Here you can go to OSV, and they will help you write a resume, but the military has more generalized help…social workers for example.”

Ah Sing said students generally adjust well to the new life and take education seriously. Jacques agreed saying, “The structure the military gave me hardened me; it left marks on me.

I feel like I have more fortitude, more resistance to stress. The only downside is being 30 [years old] and broke.”

Besides money, Jacques misses the responsibilities that his career gave him, “Being back to the bottom as a student is a pretty big change, you know.”

But Jacques said that he was stoked when he first got into PLNU and that the university has “pushed me to the limit and encouraged me.”

Jacques hopes to pursue a career in cancer research after graduation, “I know I want to spend the rest of my life being a cancer fighter. I think my background in the military and the high caliber of the programs at PLNU made me competitive in the job market.”

While Jacques is excited about the future, he is sad to be leaving PLNU soon.

“It is bittersweet to be done,” Jacques said. “Just like in the military, you and your peers become comrades; you celebrate each other’s victories. But then you move to the needs of life and realize it is time to part ways.”

To the veterans who are interested in attending college, Jacques says, “Reach out to the student veteran clubs at universities or talk to a VA education representative to understand your rights and benefits.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALAN JACQUES Alan Jaques does work in lab.

The ‘california,’ a food staple of San Diego

BY ANDREW EAKES

STAFF WRITER

One thing that has made San Diego special is its Mexican food. Being so close to the border, San Diegans have formed a very distinct appetite that is hard to be matched anywhere else in the United States. While tacos, enchiladas, tostadas, and tortas have always been Mexican food favorites, the California burritos are almost exclusively found in San Diego taco shops.

According to the co-founder of Lucha Libre Taco Shop, Jose Luis, a local chef at Santana’s Mexican Grill named Don Arturo Santana in the late 1980s first introduced the California Burrito. This combination of tender carne asada, a blend of different cheeses, complimented with seasoned French fries has been a big money maker for Luis.

“California burritos are our number one seller everyday no matter what”, said Luis. “To help drive more revenue we have added a “surf and turf ” California burrito. All we added was shrimp to the regular California burrito with our homemade salsas.”

With taco shops at almost every corner in San Diego the phrase to remember when choosing a particular taco shop is “the worse it looks, the better the food.”

While some tourists gawk at the sound of that, San Diegans take pride in their Mexican food and everyone seems to have “the best spot.”

The California burrito on the surface may seem very plain but additions can be made to spice things up. If you are a fan of guacamole, that would make a great addition. Some places that make their own homemade guacamole include Taco Surf on Mission Blvd. in Pacific

Beach. This restaurant is great for beach goers as it is right across the street from the water.

Another popular taco shop with homemade guacamole is Trujillo’s Taco Shop on College Ave. by San Diego State University.

One of the most common taco shops throughout San Diego is Roberto’s Taco Shop. San Ysidro would be the first area in San Diego to have a Roberto’s.

The Robledo family founded it in 1964.

Today it can be found from the border all the way up to North County. The “chain” taco shops have never really caught on aside from Roberto’s. Their deep roots in Mexico and San Diego have kept customers coming back for decades, and their Torrey Pines location gives Mexican food fanatics a great view of the golf course overlooking Blacks Beach.

El Indio on India St. in Mission Hills has been feeding San Diegans since 1940 from the same location. Founder Ralph Pesqueira Sr. opened the taco shop before World War II as a quick way for people to get lunch. Pesqueira Sr. prided himself on making homemade tortillas everyday, a tradition they continue to this day.

He used the first ever tortilla-making machine in San Diego sometime around 1945.

It was located in the basement and was able to produce 30 tortillas at a time.

After the death of Pesqueira Sr, in 1981 his son Ralph Jr., nicknamed Sonny, took over the business. He can still be found working the counter today and plans to train his daughters to take over the business.

Because every taco shop in San Diego has California Burritos, some places have tried to make theirs more unique. Ortiz Taco Shop in Point Loma and Pacific Beach has created a whole new

PHOTO COURTESY OF COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG The California Burrito has become a staple to the San Diego community.

burrito experience. Imagine a regular California Burrito and a quesadilla next to each other. Now take the two and combine them.

That is what Ortiz has done to intrigue their customers.

Ortiz along with Taco Surf also introduce the California Burrito with chicken.

This “pollo asada” burrito comes with either shredded or grilled chicken and has become just as popular as the

traditional one.

Trujillo’s Taco Shop has become famous for their combinations of burritos.

The “Sigma Nu” has taken similar tactics as Ortiz by adding a quesadilla but with a twist. This burrito also has two beef or chicken rolled tacos stuffed inside them.

This creation has left their restaurant packed at all hours of the day, and the wait is worth it.

California Burritos have become a staple to the San Diego community.

Many restaurants along the California coast have tried to copy this trend but non-have been as successful as the ones in San Diego. Each taco shop has them even if they are not listed on the menu.

Go out and get your own to experience food that exists almost exclusively in San Diego.

SENIOR

REFLECTIONS

BY KATE DRAEGER

CONTRIBUTOR

The word “community” is used frequently at this school and while it seems cliché, it’s apparent how much of a community there really is at this school.

It starts at your freshman year dorm and branches into the people within your major. I was lucky enough to experience a community that permeated into every part of my life. I got involved within my major, the students I worked with became my family and my professors became friends.

Student and international ministries quickly became a passion.

Through leading Ministry with Mexico and Beloved in Student

Ministries, I was able to connect with a broader range of students outside of my major or living hall. Point Loma has given us so many unique opportunities to connect with others. Forming a community that is intentional, forgiving, compassionate, and trying to imitate Jesus is what we have at PLNU and for that I am so grateful.

What I’ll miss most about this school is a community that is always present and welcoming someone despite whatever state they might be in.

BY JORDAN LIGONS

STAFF WRITER

The first time I stepped onto PLNU’s campus, I was with my dad. I had my high school basketball highlight reel in my hand, addressed to then head women’s basketball coach Bill Westphal.

It was the summer of 2011 and there wasn’t a soul on campus. My dad and I were so confused on how we had never heard of this school before. Was it because it is tucked away in the neighbored of a city hundreds of miles south of our home in Sacramento or because we weren’t Nazarenes, or even Christians for that matter?

Well, it definitely was a hidden gem. Four years at this amazing institution have gone and went, but the memories are still in the forefront. I came in wanting to be a journalist, a star basketball player, and I had a PC, hoping that the rest will fall into place. I’m leaving as a journalist, still a lover of basketball, a Mac owner and a

BY HANNAH CARIGNAN

CONTRIBUTOR

Growing up, I always thought college would be the hardest thing I did in my life. In middle and high school, college is hyped up to be one of the most important things in the world.

My teachers and mentors made it seem as though if someone didn’t go to college, life would be a lot harder for them. They’d say that college was hard, but it made everything easier in the end. They told us that we’d have jobs after college, and we’d be able to start careers almost immediately after graduation.

But that’s not true. Maybe it was some time ago, but it isn’t now. And maybe that’s just frustrated me, working really hard for four years, expecting some sort of payoff for all the time and money I’ve spent on my two degrees here at PLNU. Jobs aren’t guaranteed, security isn’t guaranteed...we’re not even promised tomorrow. It’s hard for me to get in the mindset of “living like there’s no tomorrow.” I like planning and having an idea of what the future holds. All I know is that I’m here today,

Believer.

I have been immeasurably blessed by everyone I have encountered at this school. I know, that is a bold statement, but it’s true. My professors have invited our classes over for dinner (What other school does that?); I think I know all the names of the journalism’s graduating class; I am friend’s with the Golden Gym’s janitorial staff (Shout out to Danté!); And the women I met on my freshman hall, are still my roommates and my best friends.

I struggled with the lack of diversity on campus, with my collegiate athletic experience and with my mental health. But as I reflect, I honestly feel ready for the world, the world outside of the “Loma Bubble.” I’ve learned so much about myself during this crazy adventure we called college. I’ve learned how to be a better version of myself through my faith and my relationships I have built here. I took advantage of every opportunity that presented itself to me, leaving with no regrets.

Deuces Loma, it’s been fun. All the times I had to explain what “PLNU” stood for and exactly where it was located, were worth it.

and I can live for the Kingdom today. I don’t have a lot of money, a full-time job post graduation, or a place to call my own and lay my head, and I’m walking across that stage in less than two weeks. I thought by now I’d have some things straightened out, but I’m okay with that. My friend Gandalf (a character by novelist JRR Tolkien) once said, “All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to us.” I’m learning to appreciate everyday for what it is, and take each day as a blessing. And that, I think, was worth the time and money spent. I have been so very blessed by the fellowship I’ve been a part of and the community I’ve seen thrive, even under duress.

To younger students: spend less time staring at your screens and more time interacting with people and environments around you, everywhere. Call your family and save your money.

BY EMILY BEARD

CONTRIBUTOR

Even with less than a month left before graduation, I can already feel the nostalgia of leaving this place settle across campus like the early morning fog rolling in from the sea.

As I thumb through the memories of the past four years, it’s easy to stop at the snapshots of experiences that changed me in extraordinary ways; the experience of studying abroad in London, finding my deepest friendships in unexpected places, traveling to San Francisco for a spontaneous weekend, camping in Big Sur for spring break, publishing “the Driftwood” Creative Arts Magazine as Editor-in-Chief, working my dream internships.

But to be honest, these big moments are nowhere near as

important as the small, ordinary moments of my everyday life Point Loma. As much as I’ve been shaped by spring break trips and a semester studying abroad, I have found that the everyday experiences of going to this school have shaped me even more: the view of the ocean in all its moods, the snoozed alarms, the unspoken bond between my roommates and I when the dwindling carton of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is served with multiple spoons, the conversations with professors that become conversations with peers, the simple, honest prayers at the altar, the crumbling cliffs, the sandpit on the field, the Hendricks bench, the roof of Brown Chapel.

It is these small moments at Loma that have shaped my time here, the way each wave shaped the coast I came to call home. I am incredibly excited for whatever path my life will take after leaving this place, but I will miss these sacred, ordinary moments, and the people that made the ordinary sacred.

the point | monday, april 25, 2016

8 | A&E

a&e

PLAN YOUR WEEK

Wednesday: Odyssey Ropes Course Zip Line Open House; 11am-2pm UCSD Challenge Course 10000 Hopkins Dr, La Jolla, California 92037 Friday: Art Alive 2016 Floral Exhibit; 9am San Diego Museum of Art 1450 El Prado, San Diego, California 92101 Saturday- Sunday: Mission Federal ArtWalk Little Italy, San Diego

Summer won’t bore, a preview of films for all

BY SCOTT BROWN

STAFF WRITER

School’s nearly out, summer’s almost here, and what is there to do but go to the cinemas and see some great blockbusters? There are many films that look promising that are coming out over the summer, some of which are blockbusters and others that are smaller films many people may not have heard of. Here is my list for some of the films that are coming out over the next few months that I am most excited for.

May 6th: “Captain America: Civil War”

This is one of my most anticipated films of the year, right behind “Star Wars: Rogue One” and the already released “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.” It is the final act of the Captain America trilogy, following the amazing “Captain America: The Winter Solider.”

Early reviews are fantastic so far, which makes me all the more excited.

May 20th: “The Nice Guys” Starring Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe, this film seemed

interesting when I saw the first trailer, but it wasn’t until the studio released the red-band trailer that I was fully on board. This looks like a fun mix between black comedy, crime mystery, and a period piece. It is a film that will hopefully provide a nice interlude for viewing between all of the blockbusters.

May 27th: “X-Men: Apocalypse”

The 9th film in the “X-Men” franchise and the third in the trilogy that started with “X-Men: First Class.” “First Class” and “Days of Future Past” are both amazing, which gives me a lot of hope for this film as well. I am also excited to see the performances of returning cast members, particularly James McAvoy as Professor X, Michael Fassbender as Magneto, Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique, and Nicholas Hoult as Beast, as well as newcomers Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, Tye Sheridan as Cyclops, and Oscar Isaac as Apocalypse. The trailers are great, and I am very excited for this next installment in this franchise.

June 17th: “Finding Dory”

The long-anticipated sequel

to “Finding Nemo,” which is one of my favorite Pixar films. From the trailers, this looks like a great continuation of the story that we saw 13 years ago. I’m excited to see whether the final product meets my expectations.

June 24th: “Free State of Jones”

A Civil War period piece starring Matthew McConaughey about a group of southerners who rebel against the Confederacy and create their own free state in the South where any man or woman, regardless of skin color, can be free. The trailer looks intense, and it looks like a possible, early Oscar contender.

July 1st: “The BFG”

This film is a new Roald Dahl adaptation directed by Steven Spielberg that looks quite interesting. Based on the trailer alone, this film looks like it will create a new fantastical world, but other than that I am a bit uneasy about this film. The only reason I am anticipating its release is because it is being directed

by Steven Spielberg.

July 8th: “The Secret Life of Pets”

Pet lovers unite! No seriously though, the trailers for this film have been extremely funny so far and have caused me to become really interested in the film. Although my anticipation may also have something to do with my love for animals. Nevertheless, I can’t wait to see this once it finally becomes available in theaters.

July 22nd: “Lights Out”

A new horror film based on a short film that has received millions of hits on YouTube. While “The Conjuring 2” is also coming out over the summer, this is the horror film that I am most excited for. he trailer is absolutely horrifying, and it looks like it will get under the audience’s skin with great psychological horror elements instead of just jump scares.

July 29th: “Jason Bourne”

Yes! I am so excited about the fact that this film exists! Another Bourne film with Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass is amazing! I love the Bourne franchise, mainly those with Matt Damon, and I am so excited to finally get

another one that is hopefully fantastic as well.

August 5th: “Suicide Squad”

This next film in the DC Comics Extended Film Universe stars the villains of the DC Universe instead of the heroes, which is nice a change of pace for superhero films. Along with many first - time live - action incarnations of fan favorite characters, such as Harley Quinn, there is also the new incarnation of the Joker by Jared Leto, who looks awesome, and another appearance of Ben Affleck’s Batman.

August 12th: “Sausage Party” Warning: not a film for everyone. This is an animated film that, from the trailer, looks like an absurd R-rated comedy with the premise of kid’s film. It also promises to be absolutely hilarious with a great voice cast.

Hopefully the film has the same quality as the trailer.

Fashion show: strike a pose

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN PICKETT

(top) : Katie Fogelstrom's line was inspired by The Holy Bible.

(Left): Dylan Hegye walking down the runway at the PLNU fashion show.

A model strikes a pose at the end of the runway Friday night at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier in San Diego.

monday, april 25, 2016 | the point

SPORTS | 9

sports

SEA LION SCORES 4/18- Women’s Golf at PacWest Championships, 3rd place 4/20- Baseball at California Baptist, loss 2-5 4/22- Baseball at California Baptist, loss 0-4 4/23- Baseball at California Baptist, win 7-6 | Baseball at California Baptist, loss 5-10

UPCOMING EVENTS 4/28: Track & Field at PacWest Championships TBD- Azusa 4/29: Baseball vs Holy Names (doubleheader) Noon, 3:00 p.m. - PLNU | Track & Field at PacWest Championships TBD- Azusa 4/29: Baseball vs Holy Names (doubleheader) Noon, 3:00 p.m.- PLNU 5/2- 5/4: Women’s Golf vs NCAA Super Regionals TBD- Stockton/Brookside CC

Men’s tennis team looks forward to bright future

BY LOUIS SCHULER

STAFF WRITER

The PLNU men’s tennis team finished their season in what was an exemplary match that told the story of Coach Wheeler’s second year as leader of the squad.

Although the team won their final match of the season in the PacWest Championships on April 17, it was not sufficient to qualify for the NCAA Championships on May 7—a goal that has eluded this team since playing at the Division II level.

Yet this season can only be described as overcoming constant adversity.

After an 0-5 start to the season, the Sea Lions willed their way to a 12-8 record for the remainder of the year— despite many nagging and crucial injuries that affected the entire roster.

“This goes with every sport: once you get a couple wins—your confidence grows,” said Wheeler. “I don’t think we were playing bad tennis even in the midst of that losing streak. I think it was a combination of having a few guys that were hurt at the start of the year.”

Some of the many bright outlooks for the future came from the players vying for higher spots in the roster.

Freshman Adrian von Braun – who played at the six spot – improved his singles match record to 9-6 overall after losing three of his first four matches.

Sophomore CJ Erion – who had high expectations after achieving the PacWest Freshman of the Year award and a 16-5 record in singles last year – overcame an injry of his own to accumulate a 14-9 singles record. Erion went on a hot streak of his own in March by winning seven consecutive matches—the longest singles winning streak of the season for the team.

Another positive performance came from the number one spot on the roster.

Andre Staab – a German transfer student in 2015 – has been playing at the top spot on the roster since his arrival.

After accruing an impressive 17-5 record in singles last year, Staab finished with a 10-10 record after undergoing multiple injuries during the beginning of the season.

The former NCAA All-American said the beginning of the year was about playing through injuries during his matches.

“In comparison to last season, it was really a different kind of season,” said Staab. “Because I’ve never had that issue [injuries] to deal with – ever since

I’ve been playing in the United States for three years – any injuries like that. So it has shown me a few more perspectives on tennis and how I have to deal with it when it gets even tougher.”

Staab said that being injured can be a mental obstacle to get over when playing against the top players in the nation.

Although the Sea Lions suffered many of their losses in their singles matches – going 61-80 overall – another reason for a hopeful future came from their doubles teams.

While some pairings fared better than others, the team clawed their way to a 38-37 doubles record—not an easy feat in a format that tends to be more unpredictable than single’s matches.

Some of the pairings were simply dominant—including a 12-3 record

by Seniors Martin Blaho and James Tenbroeck and a 13-9 showing from Staab and Senior Daniel Miliken.

Despite missing out on the NCAA Championships, the lower ranked players on the roster – all underclassmen – had strong seasons to go along with great performances from the doubles teams—a sign of an optimistic future.

Wheeler said he looks to improve and build on the team’s overall volley play looking to next year—a year of

PHOTO COURTESY OF PLNUSEALIONS.COM Senior Andre Staab (right) shakes senior Daniel Milliken’s hand after winning a point during their doubles match against Holy Names University.

cautious optimism as the Sea Lions will attempt to build on their success after losing four seniors.

“I think one thing that’s been a big focus for us –and this is men and women, but even the men specificallyis a greater skill and confidence at finishing points at the net,” said Wheeler.

“I think it’s a huge advantage – doubles obviously because there’s a lot of net play - but singles too—someone who can

consistently finish points at the net with a volley or an overhead, has a very big advantage over someone who just can’t do that (…) so if that is a strength for us – which is much greater than other teamsI believe it gives us a big advantage. So that’s something that the last couple of years but also going forward will be a big focus.”

Men’s baseball makes final playoff push

BY GRIFFIN ASELTINE

STAFF WRITER

After nearly three months and forty games of hard-played baseball, the men’s team is now in an interesting position.

With an overall record of 24-16, a conference record of 13-13, and only eight matches left on the schedule –all in PacWest- qualifying for the NCAA West Regional may be a long-shot, but not impossible.

Last season, the Sea Lions managed to grab the final seed in the tournament with a 33-18 overall record and a 19-13 record in the PacWest. In order to match that in 2016, winning at least six or seven of the last eight is crucial, and in the game of baseball, where anything can happen, that’s certainly a tall task.

Fortunately, if there’s one reason why such a stretch is possible, it’s the fact that the last eight matches will be played at home, where the team has thrived with a 14-5 record. Learning to “own” your ballpark is critical within the sport, and this team has done phenomenally well in that aspect thus far.

In addition, the first four matches will be played against Holy Names—a

PHOTO COURTESY OF PLNUSEALIONS.COM Freshman Ryan Casper (right) makes a defensive play during a game against California Baptist last week. The Sea Lions won the game, 7-6

team that has struggled all season with a 10-32 record, and only three wins on the road. If the Sea Lions can win at least three out of four, they will have one last opportunity against a tougher opponent in Fresno Pacific University (FPU) (2021, 15-12 within the conference).

While FPU may not be a favorable matchup in terms of PacWest play, they do have their struggles on the road at 7-15. So if PLNU can continue to own

their ballpark and embrace home field advantage, a continuation of the season in the NCAA West Regional may be a possibility.

In terms of how the Sea Lions’ offense has flourished, the key aspect is consistency. While no player on the roster currently maintains a batting average above .350 -Fresno Pacific has three players in this category-there are seven players who are batting above .300

and nine of which are batting at least .288. Thirteen players have started at least five games, and all thirteen of them have managed an average of at least .200.

Ryan Garcia currently leads the team with an average of .349, .605 in slugging, and 12 home runs, while Devin Carter trails closely behind with an average of .340, .576 in slugging, and seven home runs.

If the team can keep its offense in rhythm, odds are at least a handful of key players will step up and make an impact on the score board.

On the pitching side, Kellen Sheppard (6-4, 2.59 ERA [earned run average]) and Kevin Lillicrop (6-2, 2.87 ERA) have each started ten games and have both proven to be reliable in the long-term. Trevor Abshire (3-3, 3.74 ERA,), has not quite been on the same level from a statistical perspective -starting ten games and only lasting a maximum of six innings in a game- but has had a fair share of quality outings.

For relief pitchers, John Shurance leads the team with an ERA of 1.04 and has recorded two saves. Nathan Bennett started out the season hot with

23 innings without a single earned run, but a recent four-game slump has shot his ERA up to 2.58. Coleman Huntley III (0-2, 4.08 ERA) proved to be an efficient closer towards the beginning of the season with five saves, but a poor outing against Concordia on March 25 led to his second loss of the season.

Since then, he has served as a regular relief pitcher, and it has proven to be a successful move, with 7.2 scoreless innings under his belt since the change.

If Bennett ends his slump and Sheppard, Lillicrop, and Abshire continue their consistency as starters, the pitching staff will be ready for the final stretch.

A 7-1 run can be tough, but with this team, it’s not impossible. An 11-game winning streak in February proves that it can be done. It’s simply a matter of if the consistency progresses its way into the end of the season.

All eight games will be played in doubleheaders. The four-game series with Holy Names will be played on April 29 and April 30, while the series against Fresno Pacific will be on May 9 and May 10.

Rugby player gives perspective of championship

BY JESSE OLESON

STAFF WRITER

Game one: 4/23/2016.

Our flights were all on time, checking into the hotel went fine, and everyone was playing well during warmups before the game. Everything was going according to plan.

Then everything didn’t.

After some costly mistakes, we were down 14 points at the half.

14 to zero as a matter of fact.

Our coaches were upset. We were upset. We flew 2,000 miles and raised thousands of dollars for this. We were better than this.

Within two minutes we scored two tries. The tide was shifting. Back and forth IUPUI and PLNU scored leading up to the final minutes of the game. With five minutes left, IUPUI scored putting PLNU down 23-29.

That’s when the cheering began.

Everyone knew it would come down to this last two minutes of play. Each team

captain was egging on their teammates, one team to hold them and one to score.

With two minutes left in the game, Riley Cannon scored and with the conversion kick by Markus Lewis we were up 30-29. The clock winded down and Pablo Kaprielian kicked it out and ended the game.

We were on our way to the championship game.

Most of the kids on our team haven’t played for a televised championship game with teams from around the

country. PLNU Rugby went to sleep that night with our sights on the championship. Tomorrow we will be playing Salem State University. West Coast versus the East Coast.

Game two: 04/24/2016 We came out strong but it wasn’t good enough. We never gave up but we came up short. The better team won today but we are keeping our heads high.

I’d like to say thank you on behalf of the rugby team. Thank you to the amazing support of our friends and

family. You are the bedrock on which this club is built on. To the alumni: thank you for your encouraging words and financial support.

We hope we made you proud.

And lastly, thank you to our school.

The funding and moral support made our small club seem recognized and it spurred us forward.

Cheers to an amazing season. Hey, second in the nation ain’t too bad. You’ll see us again out on the pitch in the Fall.

the point | monday, april 25, 2016

10 | SPORTS

The Point recaps and grades sports teams

BY LOUIS SCHULER AND GRIFFIN ASELTINE

STAFF WRITERS

Men’s grade: C+ Men’s grade: B+

Women’s: B

TENNIS

Grade: A CROSS COUNTRY

While it was largely a story about the incoming Freshman talent for the Sea Lion’s cross country team, the team was able to pull together place third at the PacWest Championships for one of their best finishes of the season. The squad was led by sophomore Alexandra Hernandez with a 21:47.76—she placed eighth out of 100 athletes. But the third place showing wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the freshman Bartello sisters, freshman Josie Frye, sophomore Jocelyn Duran and junior Hallie Swenson—all who placed in the top 50. Freshman Emily Loogman and Junior Hayley Richardson placed in the top 100 to further help the team’s total points at the tournament. Overall it was an extremely successful season for the young squad as they placed 14th out of 28 schools at the NCAA West Regional in Monmouth, Oregon.

Second-season Head Coach Curt Wheeler had strong ambitions for both tennis squads coming into the 2016 season, with strong schedules set up in order to bring his teams one step closer to the ultimate goal of an NCAA Championships berth.

The men’s team faced a brutal struggle to start the season, dropping five consecutive matches in a row. But they managed to gradually rebound their way into a rhythm, going 10-5 over their next 15 matches, including a five-game winning streak in March.

While they finished the season with a losing record at 12-13, they ended their season on a high note, winning two matches at the PacWest Championships in convincing fashion to claim the conference consolation title.

The women’s team showed promise at the beginning of the year with a 4-2 record, but an ensuing five-game losing streak dragged them into a deep hole leading into the season’s final stretch.

After slowly climbing their way out, the women’s team managed to finish the regular season at 9-10. They would win their opening match at the PacWest Championships, but would then fall in back-to-back games as their season came to a close at 10-12.

Women’s: B+

BASKETBALL

Under the fifth season of head coach Bill Carr, the men’s basketball team had high expectations coming off of a 21-8 season in 2014-15. Unfortunately, 2015-16 would not be the season that the team had hoped for. Promise was shown in the first month with a 5-2 start, but several close losses and a four-game losing streak to end the season left the squad at 13-14 and 8-12 in conference play. Despite the disappointing record, starting point guard Josh Rodriguez received multiple individual honors, including the PacWest Freshman of the Year. In April, Carr accepted the head coach position for Santa Clara’s women’s basketball team at Santa Clara University, making 2015-16 his final season at PLNU. In head coach Bill Westphal’s 17th and final season, the women’s team fought to a 5-0 start and a ninegame winning streak from January to February en route to a 19-10 record and a 12-8 record in the PacWest. While it would be enough to clinch the number 6 seed in the conference championships, PLNU fell in their postseason matchup to Academy of Art, 77-70. Alex Brunk received PacWest All-Tourney Team honors and was voted to the All-PacWest team with Madison West. Following Westphal’s retirement, Lisa Faulkner, who spent four seasons as an assistant coach for Boston College, was hired to fill the position in the future.

Men’s grade: B+

Women’s: A

SOCCER

The men’s soccer team, led by head coach Phil Wolf in his fourth year, saw its best season since 2007. They rode a five-game winning streak at the start of October on the way to a 9-5-3 overall record, and an 8-3-2 record in conference play for a total of 26 points—good for fourth place in the PacWest rankings.

Individual honors included Daniel ten Bosch and Tyler Allen (NSCAA and All-PacWest Team), Manu Montal (co-Player of the Week; Sept. 29-Oct. 4) and Taylor Kang-Illescas (Freshman of the Week; Nov. 2-8).

The women’s soccer team, led by head coach Tim Hall in his eighth year, continued its long-term success with a 14-5 overall record and an 11-2 record in conference play, which included a sixgame winning streak to end the season.

Despite the hot streak, the team would ultimately lose its NCAA Championship matchup to Sonoma State, 2-0. Individual honors included Morgan Pearce (NCAA All-American, AllWest Region, All-PacWest, and PacWest Defender of the Year), Ariel Oriarte (All-West Region, Goalkeeper of the Year, All-PacWest), and Keagan Bolibol (All-West Region, Freshman of the Year, All-PacWest).

Hall was also recognized as the PacWest Coach of the Year.

Grade: A VOLLEYBALL

The Sea Lion’s volleyball team’s season was impressive, and one filled with multiple school records. Many of the records were broken on the last game of the season against Concordia University.

From an individual performance, it was a special game for Leavitt and senior Savannah Wedemeyer. After notching her second kill of the game, Leavitt surpassed 1,500 career kills— which put her at sixth place all-time behind Rochelle Short. This came at the same time as senior Savannah Wedemeyer came into the match, who ranked third all-time in school history in career assists with 3,946. Wedemeyer led the team with 31 assists in her final regular season game as a Sea Lion. The squad went on to lose their first round match to Western Washington University, 0-3 at the NCAA Championships.

Surf’s up you radical Sea Lions! Get stoked. Get pumped. Get pitted. Shaka.

MONDAY 25th

TUESDAY 26th

Surf height: 7-12 ft.

Wind speed high: 38 mph at 6 pm Wind speed low: 25 mph at 9 am Low tide: -0.05m at 5:30 am High tide: 1.14m at 11:37 am Low tide: 0.48m at 4:53 pm High tide: 1.61m at 11:00 pm Sunrise: 6:06 am

Surf height: 3-7 ft.

Wind speed high: 15 mph at 3 pm Wind speed low: 10 mph at 6 pm Low tide: -0.01m at 6:07 am High tide: 1.05m at 12:20 pm Low tide: 0.57m at 5:19 pm High tide: 1.55m at 11:30 pm Sunrise: 6:05 am

Sunset: 7:53 pm

Sunset: 7:28 pm

WEDNESDAY 27th Surf height: 4-8 ft.

Wind speed high: 28 mph at 3 pm Wind speed low: 9 mph at 9 am Low tide: 0.04m at 6:50 am High tide: 0.97m at 1:14 pm Low tide: 0.66m at 5:50 pm Sunrise: 6:04 am Sunset: 7:28 pm

THURSDAY 28th Surf height: 4-8 ft.

Wind speed high: 14 mph at 12 pm Wind speed low : 2 mph at 6 am High tide: 1.48m at 12:07 am Low tide: 0.09m at 7:44 am High tide: 0.98m at 2:28 pm Low tide: 0.76m at 6:36 pm Sunrise: 6:03 am Sunset: 7:29 pm

This information was collected from Magicseaweed

FRIDAY 29th Surf Height: 3-5 ft.

Wind speed high: 13 mph at 12 pm Wind speed low: 8 mph at 6 pm High tide: 1.39m at12:56 am Low tide: 0.13m at 8:50 pm High tide: 0.96m at 4:01 pm Sunrise: 6:02 am Sunset: 7:30 pm

Surf report : Jayme O’Hanlon

My favorite childhood movie is Free Willy. Ever since, I have had a deep fascination with dolphins and whales. The first time I ever witnessed a whale with my naked eye was when I was seventeen, out at sea in a boat designated for whale watching.

When I went surfing last Wednesday, I witnessed two miracles.

The first of which was simply being able to surf after three weeks of healing from a fractured foot. I doubted my strength when running down the cliff from Young’s parking lot, but I went for it with trust. But doubt of putting pressure on my foot when popping up on my board replaced God’s success of keeping me safe when running down the rocky, unstable cliff (it is actually safer to initially run down the cliff from the parking lot than to walk in order to accept gravity’s motion). I was rusty at first because I had been out of the water for a while, which I had expected. But what was far from my expectations was being able to pop up without any pain. There I was, taking the drop and flying right.

What was even further from my expectations was witnessing whales: the second miracle. An insurmountable amount of spray flew into the air about 500 feet away from me. Seeing the whales’ blows from sea level was far greater than seeing whales from a boat because I was in their environment; we became related.

I typically pray before I paddle out, asking God to reveal his perfect creation to me. My love for whales came from God when I was a little girl watching Free Willy.

He knows the desires of my heart even when I am not sure of them because He instilled those desires from the beginning.

Without any expectations of seeing whales during my surf session, I prayed for God to be present. Although I was asking God to be present among the waves, he surpassed my prayer by presenting Himself in a greater way that I could not have even thought to ask Him.

monday, september 14, 2016| the point

opinion

Opinion | 11

Jonathan Soch // Editor-In-Chief Jake Henry // News Editor Samantha Watkins // Features Editor Louis Schuler // Sports Editor Autumn Schultz // A&E Editor

Cori Deason // Opinion Editor Abbey Stewart // Copy Editor Jayme O’Hanlon // Layout Editor Jordan Ligons // Web Editor

The Point

The opinions in this section may not reflect those of The Point or of Point Loma Nazarene University. Letters to the editor and columns are subject to editing for length, taste, grammar and clarity. Letters to the editor must include the author’s name, major, class standing and phone number and be limited to 500 words. Please submit your opinions to corideason404@pointloma.edu.

Upon leaving PLNU after 36 years: Reflections

BY DR. PHIL BOWLES

CONTRIBUTOR

I have had a mostly enjoyable 45-year career teaching in three high schools and two colleges, 36 of those years at PLNU. I decided late in my teens that I wanted never to leave school behind, that the life of the mind, the classroom, and the small group were what I desired most.

Since school for me had taken over where the moral and religious education of home and church had left off, I could not get enough of those studies, of those teachers, in all of those subjects.

Neither could I get enough of asking questions, of getting a few answers--and then of turning over in my mind several possible answers to the most difficult questions. These possible answers were gleaned from my reading, from my own reasoning, from mentors and peers, and eventually, not least of all, from my own students.

In the 1980s at Point Loma College, my pedagogical passions were linguistics, training teachers of English and collaborating with my peers across disciplines—in part, to advance the worthy cause of writing across the disciplines, but also, selfishly, to learn more about the subjects my colleagues were teaching. After failing at several attempts to interface composition with other disciplines, I received administrative support to co-create with geneticist Dr. Darrel Falk what our dean called a summer academic boot camp: Program Quick Start, the precursor to the current LEAP program. I directed and taught in that program the better part of a decade. Dr. Falk and I also created the co-disciplinary Integrated Semester for Freshmen (ISF), providing a common first-semester experience for 48 students, and offered another fourteen years in the fall semester. (Today, a few of the elements of ISF are being used in the new humanities Honors Program.)

Those years of collaboration were not always easy, but they were satisfying, taking me beyond the boundaries of my own disciplinary expertise, an appropriate development for a professor in the liberal arts.

This life of multi-disciplinary inquiry has also been shared in large measure with my very able life’s partner.

Beyond my God, my spouse, our three children with their spouses, our five grandchildren, and my teaching career, two issues have energized my adult life—the first for over forty years and the second for just over ten. The first is sustainability and the second is LGBTQ+ issues and faith. It seems fair to say they have been my extra-curricular passions.

According to New York Times columnist David Brooks, “People with passion have the [fortitude] to be themselves with abandon. We all care what others think about us. People with passion are just less willing to be ruled by the tyranny of public opinion” (Oct. 22, 2015). Reaction to our activism in sustainability and LGBTQ+ issues has been mixed.

Forty years ago as newly-weds, our upbringing by post-depression era parents and my lay interest in natural science resulted in our personal practice of minimal buying of stuff, reusing things my peers might have thrown away after the first use, and recycling as a weekly family routine before doing so was easy. So when a few of us on this campus became activist in sustainability, it was gratifying to have the leaders of the campus embrace what became a truly comprehensive mindset and daily practice to be responsible stewards individually and collectively. Although this occurred when many evangelicals were demonizing environmentalists, causing Mieras Hall to receive more than its share of criticism, I was proud to say PLNU was doing what

leading institutions do, weathering the backlash while pursuing the better way. Stewardship of resources had been declared an institutional core value!

Such was not the case institutionally a decade ago regarding LGBTQ+ issues.

(Although the Voices of Love group may have turned this corner recently, thanks be to God.) During those activist years on LGBTQ+ issues and faith, a number of outspoken critics, most overtly on the web, called for me and some of my faculty peers to be fired for organizing and speaking at meetings of an offcampus discussion group on LGBTQ+ issues and faith.

Sharon and I had been thrust into dealing with gender and sexuality issues when a close friend of the family, and a PLNU alumnus, reconnected with me in part to say that he had begun to transition from male to female and that day was the last time I would see him dressed as a man. We were able to be there in the distant hospital with our friend as she had gender reassignment surgery. Then, several years later, after we had become activists, our younger daughter, Emily, (a PLNU alumna who played soccer on scholarship and was a leader in Young Life in multiple locations) emailed the family that she had found somebody to love, another woman, and she was sorry for any pain that information caused us.

For about eight years, ending in 2012, LGBTQ+ issues and faith had been our passion, our avocation; only the demands of family and aging brought our regular work to a close. Several years earlier, while attending a San Diego Gay Pride Parade for the first time, I remarked to another PLNU employee that I could not find a recycling container along the route where I could toss my plastic water bottle. He challenged me then and there to do something about the need. Thus began a six-year relationship of this straight old man with

PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. PHIL BOWLES

the mostly younger officials and fellow volunteers that make the Pride Parade and Festival happen every summer.

As coordinator of recycling for several years, I became acquainted with many fine persons formerly outside my circles of friends and associates. And when they heard me say I was a teacher at PLNU, they were often surprised and pleased.

In fact, they sometimes melted into an emotional puddle as they recounted their beginnings in church--explaining that since they identified with LGBTQ+ folk, they had felt alienated from church and sometimes from family. They felt ostracized because of people’s reactions to who they were.

I’m fairly sure I was called to teach in this place, and I am certain Sharon and I were called to work in creation care and in gender and sexual equality.

But socially and professionally we were

vulnerable. In his Daybook Bread for the Journey, Henri Nouwen writes, “Fruits ... come from weakness and vulnerability.

And fruits are unique. A child is the fruit conceived in vulnerability, community is the fruit born through shared brokenness, and intimacy is the fruit that grows through touching one another’s wounds. . . . [W]hat brings us true joy [in life] is not successfulness but fruitfulness” (1985, entry for Jan. 4). I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked at PLNU and pray that my efforts may bear sweet fruit.

Dr. Phil Bowles is a professor of english. He has advocated for LGBTQ+ rights at PLNU for nearly ten years and along with his wife has coordinated a an off-campus discussion group on LGBTQ+ issues for five years.

Ten good ways to avoid stress during finals

BY MACKENZIE LEVEQUE

STAFF WRITER

Nobody likes to be stressed. Some of the worst nights are the ones in which you lay awake stressing, then lay awake even longer stressing about not getting sleep because you’re too busy stressing.

Did that run on sentence just stress you out? Me too.

With the fast paced lifestyle that many of us lead, it is no wonder that we end up stressed. Balancing work, school, social life, internships, and many other commitments can leave us feeling like we are constantly one assignment away from a mental breakdown.

Dr. Kim Schaeffer has served in Point Loma Nazarene’s Department of Psychology since 1989 and served as department chair from 1996 to 2001.

Dr. Schaeffer spends a good deal of his time mentoring students in research, especially in the area of positive psychology. His suggestions for dealing with stress include meditation and/ or prayer, yoga or something similar, aerobic exercise several times a week, and hanging out with positive and healthy friends.

Finally, he suggested that it can be helpful to try to develop positive mindset and simply view the glass half full not empty.

Everyone has different ways of coping with the daily stresses in their life. We asked ten people for their best strategies for beating stress and compiled them for you below. Here’s to a sleep filled and stress free night!

1. Say no to things. This tiny little word can often be the hardest one to say.

Guilt and a sense of obligation can be two powerful forces when opportunities or situations come into your life.

Sometimes you can help someone out and sometimes you need to say yes to opportunities.

However, it is also entirely okay to say no. Many of us have learned the hard way that saying yes to too many things and spreading yourself too thin simply means that you are not able to do more than a mediocre job at anything. Only say yes to things you can commit to and make those things great.

2. Get a planner. Planners are absolutely life changing. Invest in a good quality planner that you actually like and will use. Use this planner to map

out your schedule so that you can better prioritize your time. Plus, you will feel super professional when people try to plan something with you and you get to pull out your schedule to pencil them in, 3. Ask for help. Just like it’s okay to say no sometimes, it is also okay to ask for help sometimes. Everyone around you knows something about something, so why not take advantage of their knowledge as well as your own? Maybe you will get the chance to help them the next time around. If you have a ton of work to do, take a friend with you!

Everything’s better with a work buddy.

4. Get out and do something fun.

Often you just need to take a break from the worrying and do something that isn’t stress inducing. This means something different for everyone-one person might be content with a cup of coffee, while another needs a night dancing at the bar.

Whatever your definition of fun, don’t forget to indulge yourself every once in a while.

5. Give yourself some space.

Sometimes part of your stress is due to the people that you are surrounded by.

We can’t always choose the people that we do life with, but we can choose to

limit our time with stressful individuals.

Sometimes you need to just get away by yourself for a while. Go watch the sunset at the beach or even just work in an isolated place. Let yourself breathe.

6. Do something creative. A creative outlet can be an amazing way to decrease your stress. You don’t have to be the next Picasso to do something artistic. Play the guitar, write a story, or listen to music.

Doing something creative can both open up your mind and soothe your spirits.

7. Exercise. Exercise increases endorphins, and who doesn’t need some more endorphins? According to the Anxiety Association of America, endorphins are both natural pain killers and help you to sleep better. They go on to say that regular workouts have been shown to reduce overall levels of stress.

Sounds good to us!

8. Choose your environment wisely.

Being in a place that is surrounded by people can be harmful or helpful, depending on your work style. If you are a person who needs complete silence to work, go somewhere that is going to be quiet and distraction free. If you are someone who needs to be surrounded by people, grab a couple friends and go

work in a coffee shop.

9. Eat healthy foods. When you are stressed out, one of the biggest temptations can be to order a pizza and grab a family sized bag of chips. However, this can end up backfiring and leaving you feeling lethargic and unmotivated.

Instead, grab healthier snacks such as carrots and hummus or a protein bar.

Your body will thank you later!

10. Get some sleep. When faced with a huge amount of assignments, many give in to long nights of work or even an all nighter. Unfortunately, this will simply leave you feeling drained the following day. Try to use your time efficiently and figure out when it is simply time to call it quits and head to bed.

Mackenzie Leveque is a sophomore staff writer for The Point.

the point | monday, april 25, 2016

12 | OPINION

Letter to the editor: PLNU’s Title IX

BY NATHAN SCHARN

CONTRIBUTOR

I’m glad the student press is taking on difficult issues, but it should approach stories on difficult issues thoughtfully, recognizing what analysis is outside of the reporter’s analytical expertise and making greater efforts to get both sides of the story.

The April 18, 2016 article headlined, “PLNU in violation of Title IX Legal Experts Say,” caught my attention for several reasons. First, I used to be the editor-in-chief of The Point (it was called The Point Weekly then) and I worked in journalism for a couple of years as a junior-level reporter at the Union-Tribune; second, I’m currently an attorney; and, third, Dane Cardiel—the alumnus who filed WASC comment— was my roommate my junior year at PLNU. I appreciate that Loma Beat is writing this story. It’s important not to shy away from controversial topics, and as one of my old journalism professors used to say, the student press is the way the campus community has a conversation with itself.

The problem is that the author, perhaps without realizing it, draws a legal conclusion on a complex legal issue. As a former editor of The Point and current attorney, I think I can comfortably say that the paper and its reporters are not qualified to conclude for themselves that PLNU is violating the law. Nonetheless, the article, without attribution, says “PLNU has not filed for a waiver . . . , which would put the university in violation of the Title IX amendment.”

This issue could have been explored more completely without the paper

drawing its own legal conclusions.

As written, it’s a couple of attorneys’ words against non-lawyer university administrators’. I guess you can call any attorney specializing in a particular area of law a “legal expert,” to some extent.

But I’m left wondering why there are no quotes from a legal expert who has a different opinion on this issue.

It could be that this area of law is clear cut—although you don’t see a lot of areas like that—and any attorney worth his or her salt specializing in this field would agree that PLNU is violating Title IX. But in my limited experience, having a couple of lawyers who say someone or something is violating a law doesn’t make it so. That’s where judges and juries come in.

It might help to understand the hierarchy of federal laws—cue yawns.

At the top, we have the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the free exercise of religion—of course it’s a lot more complicated than that—followed by congressionally enacted super statutes, such as Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or RFRA, which trump other statutes.

Next are regular old congressionally enacted statutes like Title IX. Last, and consequently least, are federal regulations, which are thought up and published (“promulgated” in legalese) by government agencies.

To break that down again, if there is conflict between these laws, Constitutional free exercise beats RFRA, RFRA beats Title IX, and Title IX beats federal regulations. The piece of federal law this article quotes in concluding PLNU violates the law is a federal regulation, 34 CFR § 106.12 so far as I

Have something to say? Submit your random thoughts, funny comments, or opinions!

Text your #LomaChatter to 619-786-6890!

It’s not 4/20 it’s 1/5. Reduce your fraction.

RIP Prince!

PHOTO BY JONATHAN SOCH The Point ran a news article on PLNU’s handling of Title IX last Monday.

can tell from a few seconds of Googling.

Very few courts have interpreted this regulation, and one of the few that discussed it was a federal court in the Eastern District of Tennessee writing two decades ago in a case called Hall v.

Lee College. District Judge Curtis Lynn Collier—interpreting the statute, rather than the regulation—wrote, “It may very well be that to claim the exemption found in the statute, an educational institution need do nothing more than just raise the exemption,” as opposed to filing a formal waiver. Hall v. Lee College, Inc., 932 F. Supp. 1027, 1033 (E.D. Tenn. 1996).

Simply raising that exemption if it is required to do so may be PLNU’s plan. That is not to say that is the right or wrong thing to do, without really researching this, I honestly have no idea.

But this is my pitch for the student press not to draw its own legal conclusions, to use a less sexy (or more “balanced,” if you prefer) headline than

“PLNU in violation of Title IX Legal Experts Say,” and a perhaps to seek a countervailing “expert” view. (In any case, given the choice between a federal court opinion and a couple of lawyers’ say so, I’d go with the former.)

These suggestions are not meant to discourage The Point from taking on difficult issues. They’re just my two cents now that I’m six years removed.

When I was working at The Point, we had our fair share of Title IX coverage.

I’m sure that if I reread those stories today, I would have plenty of critiques.

It is certainly interesting that Northwestern Nazarene University and Southern Nazarene University have applied for waivers, I’m glad that is included in the story. But obviously those schools’ precautions don’t create legal obligations for PLNU.

CONTRIBUTOR

This week an annual diversity forum took place, where a panel of five students shared about the types of oppression and marginalization they experience and witness on campus, and how students can work to build a more loving and welcoming community.

Panelists discussed the ways in which racist, as well as sexist, heterosexist and cissexist oppression plays out in day to day encounters, microagressions, hate filled social media posts, and school policy.

As each panelist spoke, my heart broke at the ways in which our community marginalizes and harms so many. I was also filled with deep gratitude for each student’s willingness to share so vulnerably and publically. It is none of these students’ responsibility to educate the rest of the campus on the oppression they experience, yet many chose to do so, one expressing that she continues to engage in these conversations because of her heart for the body of Christ.

When the forum opened for question and answer time, the hand of a white male student shot up. He began critiquing and invalidating the experiences of panel members, claiming that he was in fact being oppressed when his actions were labeled as microaggressive, ignorant, or racist. His speech was full of microaggressions as he explained why microaggressions were not real. He asserted that stereotypes were often rooted in reality.

Anger and fear was evident in his voice as he spoke about the pendulum

swinging, and his rights and freedoms being under attack. He spoke about the panelists as a monolithic, “you people,” a group that was out to get him and hinder his freedom of speech, despite the panel members and facilitators being of a range of races, genders, and sexualities.

He claimed that the panel was one sided, yet it seemed to me that the main commonality among the diverse panelists was a desire to work towards social justice and a campus where all students feel welcome and safe – what is the other side he was hoping to see represented?

I hesitate to write this article because of my whiteness. That affords me a privilege on this campus that many of my peers don’t experience, and it also means that I do not experience racism, that I cannot and should not try to speak on behalf of those who do. I write though, because I also believe that it is my responsibility to call out the racism of my fellow white students, and work against white supremacy and privilege, in all of the subtle ways it has been woven into our upbringings, thought processes, educational systems, social structures, and economic systems.

I think as a white person it is my responsibility to look for and challenge prejudice, stereotypes, and ignorance in my own heart, and in my white peers, engaging in conversation about privilege.

I think it is important for us to call one another out, and push each other to learn and grow and examine systems of oppression and the multitude of ways in which we participate in these, regardless of how intentional that is.

I think the facilitator and panelist who responded to his comment with a degree of compassion were trying to maintain a semblance of peace, and make him feel heard. Yet as he was thanked for coming and sharing his perspectives and bringing up valid concerns, I felt uncomfortable that his harmful comments were finding any validation, and this is why I felt the need to write, to express that his arguments were not tolerable.

First, his comments demonstrated an entirely unchecked white heterosexual cisgender male privilege, whereby he felt that any gain by a marginalized community was a challenge to his rights and freedoms, such as his freedom of speech. Yet freedom of speech is commonly misunderstood and misapplied – freedom of speech means the government will not control one’s speech, it does not however mean that one is entitled to say whatever they please and not be criticized by others if their speech is hateful and harmful. A social shift towards politically correct speech is not an act of oppression against those who are no longer able to voice oppressive ideas without backlash.

Blaming marginalized people for being too sensitive is a tactic of power and oppression that prioritizes the intentions of the privileged over the lived experiences and pain of people experiencing oppression. Justice does not necessitate marginalized people “being less sensitive” and not letting racism or other forms of oppression bother them, it necessitates people of privilege listening and seeking to understand how

My goal after grad? Find a job that allows me to be bra-less. #burnthebras

Coachella= Urban outfitters the musical.

Caf pizza gives me pizza chills

When you think you’re dying, but you have a project to finish and you’re just like “ehh it can wait.”

I wish dogs were allowed at more places than children.

Pray for me.

Nathan Scharn is a 2010 PLNU alum and former Editor-in-Chief of The Point.

Reflections on the Annual Diversity Forum and privilege

BY KENDRA PETERSON

#LomaChatter

their actions or words may be harmful to others even if that was not the intention, and working to change that.

It can be deeply uncomfortable to examine one’s own privilege and learn about the ways in which oppression extends far beyond overtly hateful individuals, and is woven into social systems and day to day encounters, stereotypes and microaggressions. It is uncomfortable to be called out for racism, and often easier to become defensive and insist that that was not your intention, rather than to listen and try to understand and learn about how and why that comment or action was hurtful to someone, and work to do better.

Yet I believe this to be each of our responsibility if we desire a more just, safe and loving community. Examining privilege extends beyond race as well, as racist oppression intersects with sexist, classist, heterosexist, cissexist and ableist oppression as well, and many of us experience types of oppression as well as types of privilege.

I wanted to thank panelists and other students who choose to share their experiences and work for justice, despite backlash, and encourage all of us, especially those of us who experience types of privilege to deeply examine that, and work to challenge our privilege, rather than cling to it.

Kendra Peterson is a senior social work major and women’s study minor.

I will make it into Loma Chatter before I graduate.

The Wellness Center doesn’t provide condoms. #abortion

What am I doing after graduation?

Idk, why is the sky blue?

Honestly, the fact that I survived my crazy roommate for a whole year proves that I can now handle anything.

It’s about time they put a woman on our money! Now to get taxes on tampons overturned.

That moment when you wish there was more years of college so you didn’t have to go out in the real world and find a job.

Mandatory church service is unethical and is contrary to PLNU’s stated core values.

The Globe didn’t publish an opinion piece on their front page--it printed a satirical front page on the front page of the OPINION section.

There’s a difference.