Week of Welcome, A History of Changes ..Pg. 03 Pride, MCC, GEC Centers Become One.......Pg. 06 Items to Bring to Cal Poly.......................Pg. 11 Top Ten Surprises at Kennedy Library.........Pg. 12 MUSTANG DAILY | mustangdaily.net
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
A special mail-home edition presented by
MUSTANG MEDIA GROUP
Volume XCVIII, Number 1
University Housing 1 Grand Ave San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
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THE MUSTANG WAY: What We Live By A message from Associated Students, Inc. President Jason Colombini Welcome everyone to the Mustang Family! My name is Jason Colombini. I’m a fourth year majoring in agricultural business and minoring in fruit science, and I have the privilege to serve as your Associated Students, Incorporated (ASI) Student Body President for the upcoming school year. For the new students reading this, my first piece of advice to you is make the most of the time you have here. Meet new people. Try new things. Join a sports team, club, residence hall council, Greek organization; whatever interests you. The point is to get a great college experience in addition to a college degree. A degree is important, but the memories you make outside of the classroom during your time here is just as important. There are scores of topics I could talk about, but the first one I’d like to introduce in this letter is The Mustang Way. The Mustang Way began with Cal Poly Athletics and from there was taken campus wide. It is not a code of conduct, but a set of standards and aspirations that we, as the Cal Poly community, commit ourselves to through its three main tenets: Pride, Responsibility and Character. Pride can be shown in a variety of ways: attending athletic events, wearing Cal Poly gear or even bragging about Cal Poly to family and friends. One thing in particular that does not show school pride is to wear shirts
The Mustang Way
Pride Responsibilty Character
As Cal Poly Mustangs: We are focused on excellence Learn by Doing is the foundation of our engaged pursuit of knowledge and scholarly achievement. We embrace one another Mustangs strive to create an atmosphere of mutual respect, celebrating the positive differences that make us unique. We are one community Personal commitment and participation in the Cal Poly community is the cornerstone of the Mustang experience. ASI PRESIDENT JASON COLOMBINI
or sweatshirts from other universities. You are now a Mustang, be proud of it! Responsibility is represented through both your own personal responsibility and your responsibility to your new community. Personal responsibility comes through staying healthy and putting in the necessary time to succeed in class. The newfound independence of college means you are responsible for your own actions more than you may have ever been before. At the same time, you have a responsibility to your community, whether that is to others in your residence halls or members of the San Luis Obispo community. For your com-
munity responsibility, just remember the Golden Rule: Treat others as you would want to be treated. Finally, character. Character is the most personal of the three, and reflects how each of us think and act in any given situation. Our reputation is how others see our character. One way Mustangs positively show their character is through the hundreds of hours of community service Cal Poly students complete each year. I hope all of you take some time to read the full text of The Mustang Way and reflect on how it applies to you. Best of luck to each of you in the upcoming school year!
Q&A with Cal Poly’s
“primary student advocate” LAURA PEZZINI
@lauramariepez
Vice President of Student Affairs Keith Humphrey joined Cal Poly’s administration in February 2013, following a previous administrative position at the University of Arizona. Since then, Humphrey said he is focusing on relations between student affairs and faculty as well as between Cal Poly students and the San Luis Obispo community. Mustang Daily caught up with Humphrey to ask the questions incoming freshmen might wonder themselves. What is the Division of Student Affairs? What does it oversee? Student Affairs is the division of the university that is responsible for ensuring that the quality of the out-ofclass experience matches and supports the quality of the in-class experience. Student Affairs departments that support student success include Orientation, Housing, Health and Counseling, Student Life & Leadership, Dean of Students, Cross Cultural Centers, Disability Resources, Student Academic Services, Student Rights & Responsibilities, Career Services and Associated Students, Inc. (ASI). We even support Cal Poly Parents through our Parent & Family Program. What are your responsibilities as Vice President of Student Affairs? My job is to be the primary student advocate on campus. I work with students and leadership in Student Affairs to create conditions for the stu-
Learn success at Academic Skills Center
dents to have the best possible experience at Cal Poly. I think I have one of the most amazing jobs in the world because I get to work so closely with our student leaders and get to facilitate a great deal of our students’ accomplishments. How does Student Affairs affect freshmen, their families and the resources that are specific to freshmen? Student Affairs plays a key role in student success. Student success is a combination of academic success and engagement outside the classroom. Student Affairs plays a role in both. Student Academic Services offers a number of programs and services to help students manage academic challenges and maximize the classroom experience. We also oversee all involvement outside of class, and being connected to campus is critical to every student’s success so we are really pushy about making sure students get involved. How can students, and freshmen specifically, reach out to you and to Student Affairs? I love to meet with students, and hold open office hours every Monday from 4 to 5 p.m. in my office in Administration (building 1) room 209. Students can stop by to talk about anything that is on their minds. If something is great, I want to hear about it so that we keep doing it. If something is not working, I want to hear about that too so that we can improve. If those
KEITH HUMPHREY
times don’t work, we can find a convenient time. My email inbox is always open (humphrey@calpoly.edu), and I have a Facebook page where students can message me (https://www.facebook.com/ VPSAKeithHumphrey). I am hoping to have lots of people “like” me! How can freshmen get the most out of their first year at Cal Poly? Get involved in something, anything, in a meaningful way outside of class. We know that students who are connected in a meaningful way to a club, organization, house of worship, their residence hall, club sport or even a campus job are more likely to have higher grades and graduate faster than those who were not connected in their first year. And who doesn’t want higher grades? What are the most important things freshmen see HUMPHREY, pg. 6
We accept responsibility Mustangs support one another while also taking pride in accepting personal responsibility, thus strengthening the Cal Poly family. We lead by example Mustangs face all actions and decisions with perservance, honor, and character. As Mustangs, we are united under these principles, honoring those who came before us and inspiring the Mustangs who follow. The privilege of being a Cal Poly Mustang is celebrated for a lifetime.
ERICA HUSTING
@eahusting
Whether a student is looking for assistance in a class or for new ways to enhance their studies, the Academic Skills Center, through Student Academic Services, offers a variety of student resources and programs aimed to help students “get the edge,” Academic Skills Center and supplemental workshops in science coordinator Bill Sydnor said. Here is a list of a few resources and programs freshmen can take advantage of as they make the transition into college academics: Student Success Seminars Student Success Seminars are 50-minute workshops open to all Cal Poly students that focus on topics meant to help students with their academic performance. Seminar topics range from memory techniques and motivation to note taking and time management skills. These seminars begin the third week of the quarter and continue through weeks four, five and six. One or more seminars are offered each day, and each has space for approximately 40 to 50 students. No registration is necessary, and walk-ins are welcome. If a student cannot attend certain seminars, the Academic Skills Center has a download library as a resource that houses the subjects covered in the seminars, as well as links to other resources throughout the United States. Students can access
and read these articles online, or they can download and print them. Beginning Friday of the second week of school, the Vice President’s Office sends an email to all Cal Poly students with a preview of the upcoming week’s seminar topics. The list of topics, times and locations can also be found on the Academic Skills Center website, sas.calpoly.edu/asc. Campus Tutoring Resources Each quarter, the Academic Skills Center puts together a downloadable list of campus resources showing students other places they can go on campus to get free help. Although the Academic Skills Center does not offer one-on-one tutoring services, many departments on campus have their own ways of offering help for certain subjects, Sydnor said. “Students don’t always know about these (resources) if they are non-majors,” Sydnor said. “But they may be taking a biology or chemistry class to meet requirements, so they can get help there (other departments).” This list is usually published by the end of the first week of instruction, and can be found under the “Tutor Referral Tab” on the Academic Skills Center website. Study Session Program see ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTER, pg. 13
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Week of Welcome, A history of changes ARYN SANDERSON
@ArynSanderson
Week of Welcome — known as WOW — is the largest volunteer orientation program in the nation. But before there were costume-clad WOW leaders rocking crazy choreographed dances, WOW actually began as a pretty basic orientation program. Since Cal Poly’s founding in 1901, there has always been an orientation program. This basic orientation program developed into Welcome Week in 1957. Welcome Week started as a leadership training camp for the heads of clubs and student leaders, according to the WOW website. Over the years, though, WOW took on a life of its own. In the 1960s, WOW began to look much more like it does today, particularly with WOW leaders and groups. But WOW has come a long way since its humble beginnings. “To me, WOW means love,” current Orientation Programs Executive Board Member Ryan Vilfer said. “It’s a way for current students to reach out to new students here and make them feel at home at Cal Poly. You’re always a student’s WOW leader, and the Week of Welcome spirit doesn’t end
when WOW does.” WOW has become the best week of the school year for many, and, for some, a way of life. “The vibe is something that’s stayed consistent, though,” Orientation Programs Executive Board Member Scott Kjorlien said. “There’s always an exciting buzz and feel of community during WOW because everyone’s a part of something. I felt a purpose with WOW. I didn’t have a good transition. It actually took me until halfway through my second year to feel like I had a place at Cal Poly, so it was neat to be a role model and help other students transition a year and a half earlier than I had.”
Students explored campus organizations and showed their spirit at the Cal Poly Club Showcase Monday, Sept. 17, 2012.
The more things change In the past few years, though, there have been many structural changes. The “week” has been shortened, and some traditional parts of WOW have been incorporated into the summer orientation program, SOAR. “In the last year, there have been a lot of behind-thescenes changes,” Kjorlien said. “The removing of SLO Bound from WOW and moving it to SOAR as Explore SLO is one. We’ve changed the way we intro-
It’s funny, but Make WOW Yours and The Best Week Ever seem to stick for me and a lot of alumni. JASON MOCKFORD COORDINATOR OF ORIENTATION PROGRAMS
DAVID JANG/MUSTANG DAILY
duce incoming freshmen to downtown. Instead of a huge horde of new students and leaders, where you could barely even walk on the sidewalk, now it’s broken up during the SOAR sessions. It was originally a lot of stress to put on a community.” Also moving to SOAR are parts of awareness programming. WOW features awareness presentations on heavier topics, such as drug and alcohol abuse and sexual assault. Part of this programming has been moved to SOAR so that “students and their parents can start conversations over the summer,” Vilfer said. Also, a speaker on bystander intervention will be added to WOW’s awareness programming. “It’s really important to in-
clude,” Vilfer said. “Really living out the Mustang Way was missing.” For the first time this year, WOW leaders will also help with the college connections portion of WOW, a time when students get acquainted with their academic department. And, for the first time, there will be a large, ceremonial stadium-style welcome and kickoff for both students and parents. The more they stay the same But, despite recent changes and changes over the decades, WOW really has remained true to its roots and its traditions, Coordinator of Orientation Programs Jason Mockford said.
Paul Wesselmann – “the Ripples Guy” – has been speaking at WOW for eight years. “I was a student and on the board, and we randomly ran into him after a conference and made a more personal connection,” Mockford said. “He came and spoke in 2005, and since then Cal Poly students have pretty much fallen in love with Paul.” Some WOW traditions — such as WOW-A-RAMA — go back even farther. WOW-A-RAMA is an evening mixer to help new students get to know one another. Frank Warren has hosted the event for 23 years, and, before him, a company was paid to host a similar social mixer. “WOW-A-RAMA started
as a dare,” Warren said. “We used to hire a program, and I was always sort of critical of it because I felt it wasn’t as much centered on what we were doing. I wanted something that was really about our WOW, so as a joke, I said I’d do it for nothing, and I would shoot my mouth off in meetings, and in 1990 after I graduated, they said, ‘OK, Smarty Pants, you do it if you think you can do it better.’ It was almost kind of mocking to call it this weird, circus name, but it stuck. Next thing you know, 24 years later, here we are.” WOW-A-RAMA is never exactly the same, Warren said. “This year, there will be over 5,000 people out there, and when I look out they’re all see WOW, pg. 6
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Pride, MCC, GEC Centers become one ARYN SANDERSON
@ArynSanderson
Industrial technology junior Rotem Drori is an immigrant from Israel. Drori comes from a family of mostly Orthodox Jews. And Drori is gay. No single aspect of his identity defines him entirely, and so he turned to both the MultiCultural Center (MCC) and Pride Center for support while preparing to come out to his family. “I personally believe it’s harder to come out with your sexual orientation as an immigrant because there’s already
so much pressure to fit into society,” Drori said. “It’s especially difficult to come out to your family when you’re from a minority culture.” Before, Drori went to both the MCC and Pride Center to discuss this sort of intersectionality. But now students like Drori, who experience intersectionality — the interacting of different axes of
identities — in their lives are in luck. The MCC, Pride Center and Gender Equity Center (GEC) are now reorganized under one umbrella: the Cross Cultural Centers. The changes are mostly behind-the-scenes. Each of the three centers will remain physically independent; there are no location changes, mergings or even new buildings in sight. But while each of the centers had previously been organized under Student Life and Leadership, now they are united under the Cross
Cultural Centers title and have become their own, independent sector. “We were removed from the Student Life bubble and raised up so we have more au-
thority in what we’re doing,” assistant director for the Cross Cultural Centers Erin Echols said. Though Safer, Cal Poly’s on-campus sexual assault resource, often works with the GEC, it is not included in this restructuring. “The way I like to explain it is that the GEC, MCC and Pride Center are now brothers and sisters, and then we’re cousins with Safer,” assistant coor-
dinator Tammie Velasquez said. “We are not overseen by the same person anymore, but the GEC and Safer do share a space and put on programs in conjunction with each other.” The behind-the-scenes hierarchy changes are also coupled
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PRIDE CENTER
with a shift in programming. Each center will maintain and bolster their internal support services for their underrepresented groups. “We’re trying to focus less on the general student body and work more with the folks who access our center, more on — in the MCC’s case — students of color and those underrepresented students on campus,” assistant coordinator Que Dang said. Then, as a whole, the Cross Cultural Centers’ programming will center more around intersectionality, “giving students a broader look into is-
sues and doing things that aren’t just connected to one center specifically,” Echols said. Ally training and diversity advocate training, for example, will be combined along with other issues into a new social justice leadership training series.
And since the Cross Cultural Centers’ leadership noticed there wasn’t a space for students to discuss current events such as the Trayvon Martin case, the Cross Cultural Centers will be hosting a current event discussion series. “We know students have a see CROSS CULTURAL, pg. 7
I personally believe it’s harder to come out with your sexual orientation as an immigrant because there’s already so much pressure to fit into society. ROTEM DRORI INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY JUNIOR
WOW continued from page 3
this one, giant nervous brain that’s about to go nuts, especially the WOW leaders,” he said. “I’m constantly rotating through the games so WOWA-RAMA is never the same one year to the next, and the WOW leaders are always excited. If the WOW leaders are enthusiastic, so are the WOWies.” One of the biggest traditions of WOW is that WOW is always doing and trying new things, Mockford agreed. WOW keeps changing as the student culture changes, but the No. 1 goal is to ensure it’s “the ultimate kickoff to college,” Mockford said. “The spirit of the program has been maintained,” he said. “I can really think of two past WOW themes that still hold true. It’s funny, but Make WOW Yours and The Best Week Ever seem to stick
HUMPHREY continued from page 2
need to consider in their first year? College is different – in every way. Classes are taught differently. The expectations for you to learn and acquire knowledge outside of what is discussed in class is much higher than in high school. Just life in general is different too — there is a much higher level of personal responsibility for all aspects of your life than before. Everything from making healthy meal choices to staying safe when socializing to doing your laundry takes on a new meaning when you are not at home. What is unique about the incoming freshmen class?
for me and a lot of alumni.” And the more things change, the more they stay the same. “We’ve been playing the key game since I was a WOWie myself,” Mockford said. “Luckily, I figured out how to play it.” Upcoming attractions While WOW is often associated with partying, (there were, after all, 22 arrests this past year, 50 the year before and 80 three years ago during that week), WOW officials are trying to make the distinction between WOW, the program, and WOW, the week. There will be late-night socials to encourage students to participate in WOW, the program. These will include the famous dance party, hypnotist show and a concert.
Well, from my perspective we are still waiting to see what they bring to campus that makes Cal Poly an even greater place than it already is. We do know they are the largest, most academically-talented and most diverse class we have ever seen set foot on campus. That is exciting and means that we are expecting great things from this group! Any other words of wisdom? Lots! In no particular order: call home regularly, make sure you have vegetables with most meals, make plans to cheer on the Mustangs at home games, be nice to your roommate, make friends outside your residence hall, go to professors’ office hours and take advantage of everything that San Luis Obispo has to offer!
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CROSS CULTURAL continued from page 6
lot of aspects of their identities, and so this will give them their larger support area,” Echols said. “Does this mean that our Pride Center will not be mainly [lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual] students utilizing the space? No, it most likely still
will be, and we will not be cutting back on the internal support services for our students. But, the programming aspect outside of those spaces, that’s what we want to be more inclusive.” Officials from the Cross Cultural Centers want to emphasize — first and foremost — that students know each center is a resource for its target population (the Pride Center for LGBT students, for example). But they are excited about the new, even closer partnership
between the centers. “I’m really excited about breaking down the walls between the three centers,” Pride Center Assistant Coordinator Adam Serafin said, speaking figuratively. “In the past, some students have felt like they had to check an identity at the door. Like, if they identify as gay and
a person of color, they might have felt like they had to check their ethnicity as they walked in the door of the Pride Center or their sexual orientation as they walked in the door of the MCC. We’re really focusing on reconciling all aspects of self and celebrating everyone’s different identities.” English senior Ariana Chini says she found a home within the MCC, Pride Center and GEC. However, she knows of others who felt siloed in one center. “A lot of people don’t know
that you don’t need to be on the LGBT spectrum to hang out in the Pride Center, or if someone’s white, they sometimes feel like they can’t go into the MCC … Having it all under one umbrella will get it across that these aren’t isolated spaces, but rather all ca-
ter and celebrate diversity on campus,” she said. For students like Drori, the restructuring makes perfect sense. “It allows people who are going through similar struggles to help and support each other,” he said. “Combining the centers will create a much more adhesive atmosphere for people to grow at Cal Poly. I see only a bright future ahead.” The Cross Cultural Centers will have a kickoff and social on the evening of Sept. 25, the first Wednesday of fall quarter.
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UPD Chief shares safety tips for incoming students SARA NATIVIDAD
@ s_nativi
With the freedom that living on campus brings comes the responsibility of taking care of oneself. Cal Poly’s University Police Department (UPD) is on staff 24/7, but students should still try to make their lives easier by practicing safe habits. UPD Chief George Hughes shared a few tips to be safe and responsible. “It is important for everyone to know that we do enjoy a very low crime rate,” Hughes said. “However, crime may, and sometimes does, occur.” The most common crime on campus is property theft, and most incidents involve the victim leaving their item unsecured. In order to keep personal belongings safe, they should be secured or locked. Students should check to make sure their dorm rooms, cars and other items are locked before leaving them unattended. The most important aspect of safety is personal security. Though UPD is always available, students should still take responsibility for their own safety,
UPD CHIEF GEORGE HUGHES
Hughes said. While traveling, you should be aware of your surroundings, travel in pairs or groups and stay in well-lit areas. If you leave campus, you should do it in a group, stay in a group and make sure you come home as a group. “Students should make sure to look after each other and use the buddy system,” Hughes said. “If you see one of your friends that is not making a healthy choice, make sure they get home safe.” Students should also ar-
It is important for everyone to know that we do enjoy a very low crime rate. However, crime may, and sometimes does, occur. GEORGE HUGHES UPD CHIEF
range a way to get home ahead of time to ensure they have safe transportation. San Luis Obispo has many options for safe transportation including taxi services, the bus and SLO Safe Ride. If there is an emergency, 911 is still the number to call. If the call is placed on campus, it will transfer directly to UPD. There are also blue towers located on campus that are to be used in emergencies. If the red button is pressed, a blue light will flash, and the system will call UPD. An officer will be on the other line for assistance, and, even if nobody at the emergency site answers, somebody will be sent immediately to assess the situation. For any non-emergency situations, including reporting crimes or suspicious activity, UPD is available 24/7 at (805) 756-2281.
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A year at the Library: A student assistant’s story VICTORIA BILLINGS
specialsections@mustangdaily.net
The best job I’ve ever had (and I’ve had quite a few on my way through Cal Poly) was my job as a student assistant at Robert E. Kennedy Library. A little over a year ago, I checked the campus job site, MustangJobs, searching for something where I could put my journalism studies to work. What I found was a listing for a “communications and public programs student assistant” at Kennedy Library. And applying for that job was one of the best decisions of my life. Student assistant and intern As communications and public programs student assistant (I know, it’s a mouthful), I’ve learned how to attend meetings and pitch ideas so that we can develop some re-
ally exciting media for Cal Poly students. I cut my teeth directing a video that introduced the college librarians, then helped get Kennedy Library on Twitter and co-directed a Vine series to introduce Special Collections’ artists’ books to the world. My day-to-day work involved writing stories for Kennedy Library Out Loud and posting fun and interesting content to social media. I directed and edited videos about library events such as Cal Poly Science Café, photographed events and features, wrote press releases, put up fliers and generally put all my journalism and multimedia book learning into practice. In the process, my boss encouraged me to expand my writing style. This past fall, I was even able to interview Stephen Chbosky, the author and director of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” in
an auditorium filled with more than 500 hundred people. I also received internship credit one quarter, working with my faculty advisor and boss to set goals and evaluate everything I was learning on the job. Earn By Doing everywhere While my job might be one of a kind, I’m not the only student benefitting from working at Kennedy Library. The library has about 100 student assistants who “Earn by Doing” every day, doing everything from helping organize Special Collections to answering research questions to checking out. Working at the library has been the opportunity of a lifetime for computer science senior Glen Beebe, a programmer in Library Information Technology who was named Cal Poly’s top student employee this spring,
MUSTANG DAILY FILE PHOTO
in part because of a program he wrote that digitizes book requests from other libraries. More than 25 libraries across the country have downloaded the program – just one reason why he went on to be named the Northern California Region and Western Regional student employee winner as well. For Beebe, this program is the first step on a path toward programming full-time with a team of other designers and computer engineers. “As a programmer, my experience has made me motivated and excited to make more apps that help people,” Beebe said. Building inclusive communication skills
MUSTANG DAILY FILE PHOTO
Working with a team of staff, faculty and students in an office setting also helps im-
prove your communication skills, said business management senior and student assistant Lauren Diedrich. Diedrich works in circulation, and her time at Kennedy Library has helped her learn to collaborate with a diverse group of people, she said. “We work with a bunch of different people, so you learn to get along,” Diedrich said. Supportive people and place Working at the library is also the perfect way to work without being distracted from school, chemistry senior Kholoud Jarrar said. Jarrar helps update Kennedy Library’s database PolyCat, and loves that she can go from class to work and right back to class. “It’s on campus so they’re very flexible hours. They understand if you have a midterm
coming up,” Jarrar said. Kennedy Library staff work with students to develop schedules around their classes. In busier quarters, for instance, my boss let me reduce my hours to focus more on schoolwork. Then, when I was taking fewer units, my boss started me on several long-term projects since I was available more. For me, the biggest benefit of all has been the chance to take my classroom education into a hands-on setting, and put “Learn By Doing” into practice. Now when I’m unsure of what to do or come face to face with a problem I can’t handle on my own, I have the people of Kennedy Library, and all I’ve learned, behind me for support.
Check out Top ten surprises at Kennedy Library, pg. 12
‘Active bystanders’ help promote Safer enviroment SARA NATIVIDAD
@ s_nativi
Safer is Cal Poly’s top resource for any member of the Cal Poly community who has been affected by sexual assault, dating violence, stalking or sexual harassment. Safer provides these resources through crisis counseling for those affected and by educating the Cal Poly community on how to maintain and promote a safe environment. For an incoming freshman, there may be many blurred lines as to what exactly constitutes a sexual assault. According to Safer Assistant Coordinator Melissa Wittmayer, sexual assault is a broader definition of rape, which can include any type of unwanted bodily contact that is sexual in nature. The key thing to avoiding these situations is making sure there is clear communication between the people involved and that consent from all parties is granted. But consent is not as simple
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EDITORS & STAFF SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR Erica Husting WRITERS Aryn Sanderson, Sara Natividad, Laura Pezzini, Victoria Billings, Erica Husting COPY EDITORS Laura Pezzini, Samantha Sullivan ADVERTISING MANAGERS Bianca Galvez, Rachael Burnham ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Connie Lewis, Dylan Rogers, Thalia Navarro, Lizzy Kurtz ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Albert Chang, Jenna Alvarado, Nicole Bergmann, Joseph Hewison GENERAL MANAGER Paul Bittick ADERTISING AND MARKETING COORDINATOR Lea Janowicz Monday, June 3, 2013 Volume LXXVII, Number 117 ©2013 Mustang Daily “My first layout!!!“
as somebody not saying “no.” “Consent is only present when all partners have agreed to sexual activity without the presence of force, fraud, lies or coercion,” said Wittmayer. To give fully informed consent, you must have: 1. Both participants fully conscious and not incapacitated by drugs or alcohol. 2. Both parties clearly communicate their willingness/participation. 3. Both parties be positive and sincere. 4. The ability to change your mind at any time. However, being a responsible member of the community does not only involve not harming anyone, but being an “active bystander.” Part of Safer’s goal is to promote bystander intervention: “helping people, having empathy and taking care of the people around us,” Wittmayer said.
assault. One of the reasons for this is there are social norms perpetuated on nearly every college campus which indirectly lead to sexual violence, Wittmayer said. One of these social norms is the acceptance and idealization of “drunken hookups,” she said. This leads students to believe it is simply part of being in college and downplays the potential consequences of such actions. “Alcohol and drugs can really blur the lines of communication,” Wittmayer said. “This may make it hard to communicate what a person wants and hard to to hear what someone wants as well.” There are five other social norms, found outside the boundaries of campus, which also perpetuate harmful behavior: 1. Having power over others.
Consent is only present when all partners have agreed to sexual activity without the presence of force, fraud, lies or coercion. MELISSA WITTMAYER SAFER ASSISTANT COORDINATOR
An active bystander helps promote a safe environment by addressing a situation where someone is being harmed. An active bystander should provide support for the victim and, most importantly, address the perpetrator and hold the person(s) accountable. Safer does not advise, however, putting oneself in harm. The situations should be addressed “based on how safe they feel,” Wittmayer said. Though these concepts may be clear, it is difficult to have a campus entirely free of sexual
2. Violence is okay. 3. “Boys will be boys.” 4. Objectification of women. 5. The silence/lack of awareness of sexual assault. These types of behaviors limit people by stereotyping them, desensitizing them to violence and making society more accepting of harmful behavior, Wittmayer said. The last social norm, the lack of sexual assault awareness, is the most harmful because it makes it easier for people to forget about an important issue, she said.
ITEMS TO BRING
TO CAL POLY! As you prepare for your first days at Cal Poly, keep these items in mind to make moving in easier!
ELECTRONICS Portable reading light Printer/ink/printer paper Surge protector Ethernet chord (longer the better, especially for those on top bunks)
TV/Stereo/DVD
(remember to share with roommates !)
IN YOUR ROOM Alarm clock Personal fan Blanket Wall putty Plastic organizer drawer Shoe organizers Small desk lamp Coat hangers
HEALTH & FOOD Earplugs Drying rack Dishwashing soap/hand towel Instant coffee First aid kit Shower caddy Bathrobe Shower shoes Allergy medicine/cold medicine One dish set (mug, plate, utensils)
OUT & ABOUT Beach towel Yoga mat Reusable water bottle Backpack/bag for the gym Flashlight Cal Poly green and gold attire!
AROUND CAMPUS Basic school supplies (notebooks, paper, folders) Voice recorder for lectures Note cards Umbrella Bicycle Bike helmet/light/lock
ALSO!
Remember to bring these for emergencies and applying to jobs on & off campus
Copies of health records & your Social Security Card
MD 12
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Top ten surprises at
Kennedy Library
by Victoria Billings
It took me four years to discover all that Kennedy Library has to offer and, as a recent grad, I want to share my wisdom with you! 1 Get fresh pastries and hot caffeine at Julian’s Patisserie
6 Get help online.
Never underestimate the value of a chocolate croissant and cup of coffee when you’ve been studying for three hours!
Can’t make it to the library to study or get research help? Check out the chat feature on the website to talk with someone who can help you find pretty much anything you need.
2 Cram all night in the 24-hour study room
7 Master the databases.
With your PolyCard, you can access the study room at any time, in the middle of the night or on the weekend to meet with a group or work alone. The study room also has snack machines and new charging robots for refueling dying mobile devices.
Databases make research infinitely easier than Google. The library has dozens of databases on every subject from agricultural news to sociology!
3 Check out equipment or use computers in PolyConnect You can check out laptops, iPads, Kindles, cameras and all kinds of other useful equipment.
4 Go to fun events! Library events are awesome, free and open to everyone. You should attend at least one in your time at Cal Poly, as you’ll learn about things you’ve never heard of, and maybe open some new doors.
5 Conquer stress. Stressbusters, a library team, holds events like Cats in the Atrium, where cute, cuddly little felines come to the library for a fuzzy study break. Study breaks actually help you perform better on tests, so stop by!
There you have it! I know everyone at Kennedy Library is looking forward to meeting you.
8
Meet your librarian.
Taking the time to ask your librarian for help is key. Every college has its own librarian. They bring not only expertise in library science, but expertise in your area of study.
9 Get a good read. Located near the newspapers by Julian’s, Good Reads features all kinds of cool new books and classics, plus staff picks if you’re not sure what to read.
10 Study where you work best. There’s is a study area suited to everyone, whether it’s in the atrium, on the second floor with all your friends and the bustle of students, or on the tip-top of the library where everyone will hear you if you drop your pen.
University Advising Centers help students ‘Graduate On Time’ A message from cal poly university advising GOT advising? Graduate On Time Cal Poly strives to provide effective academic advising in an encouraging and welcoming atmosphere to support students as they navigate their undergraduate academic experience and learn to value their education, in order to foster individual academic success. The Mustang Success Center advisers and college-based academic advisors work together to provide your student the best advising experience possible. Mustang Success Center Professional advisors are available on a drop-in basis to: • Help students navigate the University system • Assist students with connecting to campus resources • Discuss changing majors • Help students identify tu-
toring options available • Discuss transitional issues • Provide timely and effective advising for new students and student-athletes • Learn how to use the online advising and registration tools College-Based Advising Each college has professional advisors to: • Assist students with course planning • Discuss major concentration options • Discuss how to declare a minor • Provide information and advising if interested in studying abroad • Help identify transfer classes from other colleges than will apply to major • Discuss changing majors • Identify mentorship opportunities for students • Provide strategies on how to be academically successful For more information, email advising.calpoly.edu.
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ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTER continued from page 2
The Study Sessions Program (SSP) is a program that offers students assistance in academic courses. SSP offers help in 39 subjects that cover lower division — 100-level and 200-level — classes in the College of Science and Mathematics and the College of Engineering. Study sessions are composed of groups of students focusing in the same subject, and are led by hired and trained student leaders. These leaders are usually majors in their subjects, and have earned no less than a B+ in the subject they are teaching. Study sessions are available to all students who are enrolled in one or more of these classes. At the beginning of the quarter, the Academic Skills Center sends an email to all eligible students. Students who are interested in participating in study sessions can log into their portals and submit a request. Study sessions begin the first week of instruction; however, students can submit a request to join a study session up to the sixth week of instruction. According to Sydnor, 90 percent of students who have participated in Study Sessions have earned passing grades in their classes. “We have found that students who get started early - these groups start the very first week of class - and persist, and they show up every week — twice a week for fifty minutes — then they tend to get A’s, B’s and C’s,” Sydnor said. Supplemental Workshops in Science Supplemental Workshops in Science (SWS), like the Study Session Program, are student-group sessions led by student leaders. These workshops, however, are “a little bit more focused,” Sydnor said. Each SWS group is composed of students who attend the same science lecture taught by the same professor. In addition, the workshop leader attends the same lectures as the students and meets on a weekly basis with the professor. Based on the teacher meetings and lectures, the student leaders then create worksheets and practice materials that aligned to the class learning agenda. “There is complete coherency,” Sydnor said. “Everyone is on page one.” SWS groups meet two times a week for an hour and a half. Students receive one unit of academic credit on a credit/no credit basis, and a 90 percent attendance rate is expected. These workshops are available to all students who are enrolled in a science class for which there is an offered workshop. Before open enrollment begins, students in the individual science lectures are emailed and notified that they can sign up during open enrollment. Also, on the first day of class, the workshop leaders make a class announcement and explain the process in person, and will give permission numbers during the first workshop. Supplemental Workshops in Math Coordinated by Student Academic Services, Supplemental Workshops in Math (SWM) is very similar in nature to SWS, but instead of a focus in science, SWM works on solving math problems, Sydnor said. Supplemental Workshops in Math holds two-hour evening workshops twice a week.
MD 13 Ombuds can help students resolve difficult problems A message from the office of student ombuds services Most students are eager to begin their college careers to explore their studies and independence and manage their own concerns. Many parents and supporters expect that while their children are away at college they will learn to navigate challenges with relative ease and experience quick and fair resolutions to any problems that arise. So, when there is a situation that isn’t easily resolved,
it can cause concern. Fortunately, Cal Poly offers a source of impartial support. The Office of Student Ombuds Services is helpful when students don’t know where to go with a problem, when students feel they are getting the run-around or have been treated unfairly, or when they just aren’t sure if a problem warrants formal action. Ombuds Patricia Ponce is an informal and independent resource. All communications are strictly confidential, except in situations where there appears to
be an imminent risk of serious harm to self or others. Many students prefer to speak with the Ombuds when they need a sounding board or advice with “no strings attached.” The Office of Student Ombuds Services does not advocate for any individual or group, make decisions for students, offer legal advice, hear formal complaints or maintain records. Student Ombuds Patricia Ponce is available between 10 a.m. and noon or by appointment in Kennedy Library,
MUSTANG DAILY FILE PHOTO
Room 113. For more information, email ombuds@calpoly.
edu or 805-756-1380, or visit the Ombuds website.
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University Provost Finken welcomes incoming students A message from Provost Kathleen Enz Finken Welcome to Cal Poly from the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs! We look forward to seeing you on campus and working with you to ensure that your educational experience is exceptional in every way. As provost, I provide guidance and support for the leadership teams, faculty and staff in all six academic colleges, and for several offices which support students throughout their time at Cal Poly (Admissions, Financial Aid, and Records and Registration). Academic Affairs also includes Graduate and International Education, the Office for Research and Economic Development, IT services and the library, among other things! There are a lot of people in Academic Affairs who have already had a hand in helping you navigate university life, starting with the recruitment and admissions staff who brought you through the complex admissions process, transcript analysts and the members of the registrar’s office who worked to develop thousands of coordinated class schedules for fall, financial aid advisors who created aid packages specific to each individual’s circumstances and facilities schedulers who worked really (really) long hours to solve the complex puzzle of matching classrooms, laboratories, computer and design studios, lecture halls, cattle barns, performance spaces, practice
gyms, film studios, machine shops and fabrication labs, green houses, seminar and conference spaces, recording studios and a myriad of other interesting and (often) unusual campus spaces to the requirements for delivering a Cal Poly “Learn By Doing” education. These are a few of the heroes behind the scenes who make it possible for us to identify and enroll the outstanding students who arrive here in the fall as freshmen, transfer and graduate students, and who make it possible to deliver our curriculum. They are all part of the Cal Poly team, committed to ensuring that you have a smooth transition from high school to college. While you were going through the admissions process and SOAR, we were working hard to prepare for the academic year. In addition to offering the thousands of courses, field experiences, internships, competitions and Learn By Doing opportunities that have made Cal Poly famous, the colleges have been developing new opportunities for educational travel and for students to learn in industry settings, to bring industry partners to campus, carry out complex research projects and engage with other students and faculty across programs and colleges. We have new degree offerings, including Wine and Viticulture, Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies and a Professional Masters in Dairy Science. Dozens of new faculty members join us this
MD 15 OUD&I prepares students to be successful global citizens A message from Annie Holmes, Executive Director University Diversity and Inclusivity
Greetings and welcome to Cal Poly from the Office of University Diversity and Inclusivity (OUD&I)!
PROVOST KATHLEEN ENZ FINKEN
year to support our growing student numbers and deliver our exciting and complex curriculum. Many faculty members have been working on new courses, using new ways to deliver instruction, which will prepare you for success upon graduation. We will pilot the Mustang Success Center as a one-stop center for students to get information to help navigate the first two years of college. And the new Warren Baker Center for Science and Mathematics opens in September, providing a state-of-the-art facility and spectacular spaces for students to meet, study and engage with their professors. We have a great many projects and initiatives in the works, which you will see unfold during your time at Cal Poly — all designed to enhance the students’ learning experience. It’s a very exciting time to be a student here! I look forward to seeing you on campus, and wish you a fantastic year!
I am excited for your arrival to campus as you begin your journey as a Mustang. OUD&I serves as a resource for the university in guiding initiatives around culture, disabilities, race/ethnicity, religion, spirituality, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, among others. It is our desire at Cal Poly for all individuals to feel welcomed, that all aspects of diversity are valued and that all students are successful. I hope you engage in di-
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNIE HOLMES
versity and inclusion related initiatives as Cal Poly strives
to prepare students to be successful global citizens.
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