11-30-2016

WEEKLY PRINT EDITION

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016 - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2016 VOLUME 103, ISSUE 16

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1913

W W W . T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M

ARTS & CULTURE

Therapy dog Baxter comforts students P9

The Associated Students Mobile Food Pantry will be held on Thursdays at the farmer’s market and Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.

ELISSA TAUSCHER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

SPORTS

Aztecs put up triple digits in win over Savannah State P8

A.S. brings food to students Mobile Food Pantry and No Waste program addresses food insecurity at SDSU WILL FRITZ SENIOR STAFF WRITER ____________________________

Estudiar en Cuba por medio de SDSU P5

NEWS

Green Love promotes justice through peace P3 The Daily Aztec publishes its printed weekly edition on Wednesdays and serves the students, faculty and community of San Diego State University.

SNEAKPEEK

MUNDO AZTECA

The month of November marked the launch of two new programs in the fight against food insecurity at San Diego State: a no-waste initiative and mobile food pantry run by Associated Students.

The no-waste initiative, called A.S. No Waste, is designed to address hunger by notifying students via Twitter when free food is available on campus.

Students are encouraged to follow @asNOwaste on Twitter and turn on push notifications, which allows them to be notified of events with free food like the Giving Thanks Dinner held in the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union on Nov. 17.

Foods and nutrition sophomore Adele Vaughan, a member of the Aztec Student Union Board, said she believes the initiative has a lot of potential.

“Food insecurity is a really, really big deal on this campus,” she said. “It might

not necessarily affect you, but it could affect someone who like, you sit next to in class or someone in a student org you’re involved in.”

The no-waste initiative also notified students of the first day of the A.S. Mobile Food Pantry, which was set up for the first time the morning of Thursday, Nov. 27 at the weekly farmer’s market. It will be held every Thursday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The food donated for the San Diego Food Bank is used to fill canvas bags full of groceries such as potatoes and ramen noodles which is then transported to the mobile food bank tent at the farmer’s market, where students are able to take whatever food they need free of charge.

A.S. President Jamie Miller said A.S. has a room on the second floor of the Student Union for any students who do not feel comfortable coming to the food pantry out in the open.

“Any student is more than welcome to come up here,” Miller said. “Although we are really trying to find that base of

students who (are) very much so in need.”

Marketing junior Abby Carson, who volunteered at a food pantry over the summer, said this was her only concern: that some students who are not in need may try to take advantage of the free food.

Carson said this was a less pronounced problem at her food pantry because people were required to register to use it.

“It’s hard for people to like, come say you know, ‘Oh, I need food,’” she said.

“Sometimes people are a little embarrassed. I hope there are people that wouldn’t take food just because they wanted it, and they would leave it for people in need, but I think (registering) kind of gets rid of that problem.”

Workers gave away 45 bags of food in the first three hours of the mobile food bank, said to speech-language pathology senior Jenna Beuck, who is a member of the A.S. Community Service Commission and volunteered at the tabling.

Beuck said her experience

with the Aztecs Rock Hunger Committee led her to believe a food bank is something SDSU students needed.

“I saw the definite need and interest from students about food insecurity issues and a lot of students on campus are lacking food, they run out of their meal plans, or they’re just having overall issues,” she said.

“This is a way we can really help them out.”

Beuck said while most of the volunteers are A.S. members other students were showing interest in signing up to help out.

“This is the first trial run, our volunteer base is whoever wants to help,” she said.

Miller said she was glad to be able to help others in need.

She said a total of 90 bags were given out at the A.S. first mobile food pantry.

“There’s something about helping someone else out,” Miller said. “Obviously, going without food is extremely difficult, but going without food as a student is even harder, I would say. So just to be able to make someone’s day like that, it’s awesome.”

P7 Aztecs set for MW Championship matchup in Wyoming CHRISTIAN CHRISTIAN HICKS, HICKS, PHOTO PHOTO EDITOR EDITOR

2 NEWS

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: EMELY NAVARRO • NEWS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

SDSU ranked top school for veterans REBECA REYES STAFF WRITER ____________________________________

play. It’s certifying G.I. Bill benefits to Veteran Affairs, providing information on various resources throughout the campus. It is pointing people in the right direction when they have a problem, linking them up with different services and different support mechanisms.”

Other places for veteran students on campus includes the Student Veterans House and the “Bunker” where they can study and network with other students or relax while on campus.

A program offered by the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center is “VetSuccess on Campus” which is partnered with the Veterans Affairs Office. The program offers a full-time VA counselor to military or veteran students in need.

Additionally, a member of the College of Extended Studies is available at the Veterans Center to help students seeking specific credentials or certifications.

Students said having several services offered in one place makes the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center a great help.

“I’ve been involved with the Students Veterans Association since I started here last fall,” mechanical engineering sophomore Jonathan Reiland said.

He said he was not surprised SDSU ranked high on the list.

“I’ve been president for the past year, and I’ve had the opportunity to communicate with other Student Veterans in the American chapters across the country,” Reiland said.

He said he has been asked about the veteran programs at SDSU at a

San Diego State ranked higher than University of San Diego, University of California Berkeley and the University of Southern California on Military Times’ “Best for Vets” colleges list.

The magazine ranked the universities after getting information for a survey from several universities around the country regarding their operations with current and former service members and their families.

Some criteria used to evaluate the universities were university culture, academic outcomes and quality, student support, academic policies and cost and financial aid.

Military and veterans program administrator Todd Kennedy said SDSU approaches veteran education and affairs in a three-stage life cycle.

“Stage one is what we call outreach,” Kennedy said. “That’s outreach to military members who are soon to be separating from the service as well as veterans and spouses, and a handful of others transitioning from the community college and assisting them with access to the university.”

Kennedy said SDSU does not recruit but serves as a guide in the transition process to a university education.

“Stage two is what we refer to as academic success,” Kennedy said. “That’s where the heart of the center comes into

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conference several times.

“The Student Veterans House is something that sets it apart from other schools across the country,” Reiland said He said it is an open space for students to relax and spend the time with other students with similar experiences.

“Also, if you look at the administration, faculty and staff here at San Diego State they’re very student veteran savvy, with programs like Military Ally,” Reiland said. “They educate the staff on some of

the challenges some veterans may have that are different than your traditional student.”

Abraham Romero, a second-year masters student, said as a post Sept. 11 veteran it is good to see SDSU evolving into a more veteran-friendly place.

Romero said Ryan Morris, a counselor at the Veterans Center, has been helpful in guiding him in his college life.

More information on what services are offered at the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center is on their website.

NEWS 3

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: EMELY NAVARRO • NEWS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

Green Love series promotes peace ALEX HALL STAFF WRITER ____________________________________ San Diego State Associated Students’ Green Love hosts The Green Lunch Bag Series every month where speakers from on and off campus educate students, staff and faculty about environmental and sustainability issues.

Award-winning author and founder of Power of Peace Project Inc. Kit Cummings, and founder of The Bridge to the Future Foundation, Jeff Wadstrom, spoke on “Environmental Justice through the Power of Peace” on Nov. 16 in the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union Theater.

“As the elections approached and we saw what was happening on campus, we thought ‘wow this event is perfect timing,” environmental science and engineering senior Mário Newhouse said. “This is just what we needed.”

Newhouse, the chair for Green Love, said this year the series has been successful with more students attending each event. He estimated over 250 students attended this event.

Newhouse said several students get extra credit for attending Green Love events and sometimes students leave halfway through to get to a class but he said it was interesting to see a lot of people stay the entire time because the event was “electrifying.”

“We wanted to change things up and

do it a little differently this month,” said sustainability junior and Green Love Commissioner Shelah Ott. “We also wanted to bring a sense of hope and a focus on social justice back into the issue because it’s so inseparable from sustainability.”

Sustainability and Environmental Science junior Chris Goering said he originally planned on staying until 1 p.m. because he had class, but he could not leave. He said he felt so empowered that he needed to stay and enjoy it.

“I truly think that students got a renewed sense of hope today,” Ott said.

“Not only to combat environmental problems that we’re facing today, but to really find the strength within themselves to make a difference and use the sentiment from the presentation to help them create a change on campus.”

Journalism and public relations junior and Green Love Secretary Shannon Sneade said what stuck out to her was when Cummings said it wasn’t science that drew them in, but the people telling the narratives.

“Instead of reading about what these people are doing to change their communities or to change the world, we get to hear the passion behind their voices,” said Green Love Representative and sustainability junior Alessandra Casey said. “I think the Green Lunch Bag Series does a really good job of spreading knowledge and passion throughout the student body in a way

Students take a picture with Kit Cummings at the GreenLove event.

ALEX HALL, STAFF WRITER

that you can’t get in a classroom.”

Not only does Green Love host the Green Lunch Bag Series, but the commission also hosts some events for GreenFest, a year long initiative celebrating sustainability, diversity, and SDSU pride.

Currently, Green Love is working to increase on-campus bike safety, create sustainable campus practices and advocate for inclusivity and equal representation in the transition to a sustainable future.

The group recently formed a

relationship with the Sierra Club in order to work on transitioning SDSU’s district to operate on 100 percent renewable energy by 2035, as outlined in the City’s Climate Action Plan.

“Green Love does a really good job at enabling the students to get what they want done and to create a community where people feel like there are others that want to do the same things as them,” Casey said. “It’s all about spreading the knowledge but also doing it in a way that enables you to change something.”

Data shows increase in graduation rates

74 percent of freshman graduate in six years or less; 85 percent of transfers graduate in four years

GEORGINA VARGAS STAFF WRITER ____________________________________ As reported by the Analytic Studies and Institutional Research data about 74 percent of San Diego State freshmen graduate in six years or less and 85 percent of transfers graduate in four years.

This is an increase from the prior graduation rate, where there was a 68 percent six-year graduation rate for first time freshman and 83 percent four-year transfer student graduation rate.

James Tarbox, executive director of Career Services at SDSU said he has seen more students be proactive when coming into Career Services.

These high graduation rates help more students find jobs after graduation.

Tarbox said over 50 percent of SDSU students are taking internship opportunities while attending SDSU, which increases their opportunities of getting jobs after graduation.

Students are also graduating with more job experience and getting involved in research and opportunities that are being offered at SDSU, Tarbox said.

He said advising resources offered by the university and colleges within the school are a reason graduation rates have improved.

Chair of the Psychology Department Georg Matt said SDSU’s psychology department currently receives the second most research funding in the state from the National Institute of Health.

The psychology department has created a peer advising center to help students. Katherine Turner, associate director of undergraduate advising in the psychology department, said psychology students are attending peer advising

SDSU graduation rates have risen due in part to resources given by the university.

CHRISTINE WHITMAN, ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR

meetings because they feel more confident in turning to peers for help and academic advice.

She said there are over 500 undergraduate students who graduate with a psychology degree, and a majority of them are able to find jobs within the first six months after they graduate.

“The psychology department really encourages students to get involved in research within the department which prepares students to get real job experience,” Matt said.

Karey Sabol, assistant dean at the College of Arts and Letters, said they are tracking students’ progress and reaching out to them for advising and guidance in

their programs.

The advisors from the College of Arts and Letters reach out to students who have more than 120 units and have not applied for graduation to follow up on their education paths.

Sabol said many students exceed the unit requirements because they are pursuing another major or minor.

By learning the challenges that students face in the programs, advisors are able to encourage the proper steps for students to stay on track, graduate on time and obtain the GPA they want.

“Involvement in out-of-the-classroom high impact practices, such as study abroad and undergraduate research, can

really serve to keep students motivated to stay in school and complete their degrees,” Sabol said.

Many departments are setting up students to be successful not only at school but also in the future through the initiatives that are being taken.

“We really emphasize everything they need and we give them the tools they need to go to grad school or jobs in their careers,” Matt said.

Tarbox said students are also going into departments outside of their majors and using their knowledge to help in projects and research.

He said students are able to see that they are able to get exposure to other occupations while studying at SDSU. SDSU also has the Aztec Mentor program which gives students the opportunity to connect with a professional who can help them in their career throughout their time at SDSU. “We are the only campus that offers something that robust,” Tarbox said about the Aztec Mentor Program.

The psychology department is putting efforts into extending their advising to junior colleges and prospective students.

The department is holding an event Dec. 9 where they will be having a presentation on campus for students who are attending junior colleges in San Diego.

Tarbox said he advises students to invent and design while they are attending SDSU in order to become successful.

“Allow yourself to make mistakes and say no versus trying to answer these questions at the last minute,” Tarbox said.

He said there is an estimated about 12 percent of students who go to graduate school and continue to pursue higher education after graduating SDSU.

4 OPINION

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: ANDREW DYER • OPINION@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

Racist legacy still ignored Ignorance is bliss on a campus emblematic of colonial oppression

Who’sWho? EDITOR IN CHIEF Jacob Sisneros MANAGING EDITOR Jamie Ballard NEWS EDITOR Emely Navarro ASST. NEWS EDITOR Kayla Jimenez SPORTS EDITOR Anthony Reclusado ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Zachary Engberg ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Christine Whitman ASST. ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Lilly Glenister OPINION EDITOR Andrew Dyer MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR José Guzmán-Quirino ASST. MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Andrea Lopez-Villafaña PHOTO EDITOR Kelly Smiley VIDEO PRODUCER Adriana Heldiz ART DIRECTOR Hannah Lingle-Veale PRODUCTION DESIGNER Emily Lewis

HANNAH LINGLE-VEALE, ART DIRECTOR/STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

ANDREW DYER OPINION EDITOR ____________________________________ For the third year in a row the San Diego State men’s basketball team wore turquoise uniforms as part of the N7 program to — as the Athletic Department’s website, GoAztecs. com claims — honor Native American Heritage Month.

And for the 91st year, SDSU encouraged and sanctioned cultural appropriation inherent in its racist moniker, “Aztecs.”

The irony of this is apparently lost on the university, the athletics department and fans of the team. But one cannot blame students and student athletes for participating in these racist mockeries of native cultures.

Their ignorance is enabled by the abject failure of their educational institution to enact meaningful and overdue change regarding its problematic iconography.

Despite what those ubiquitous bookstore T-shirts say, we are not Aztecs.

The Aztecs were an empire that grew out of a few central Mexican cultures: the Toltecs, Otomi and Chichimeca.

Their culture and empire was destroyed by Spanish conquest in the 16th century.

While many students might trace their heritage to central and southern Mexico, there is no current organized group or tribe related to the Aztecs.

SDSU was able to dodge an NCAA ban on Native American mascots in 2005. The president at the time, Stephen Weber, said he did not consider Aztecs to be either Native American or American Indian because they were from Mexico.

Chew on that. The president of a major university said Aztecs were not Native American but Mexican. This is how SDSU avoided the ban on Native American mascots.

According to Weber, Mexico is not America.

This cultural ignorance is what enabled Aztecs to become the mascot in the first place and its perpetuation allows it to remain so well into the 21st century.

Ozzie Monge, an American Indian

Studies lecturer, has brought issues with the mascot back to the forefront with the publication of his master’s thesis, “Fail Montezuma!” In it Monge argues that the genesis of the mascot is rooted in white supremacy and cultural appropriation.

“The mascot itself perpetuates the noble savage stereotype, reducing Indigenous people to anachronistic objects for use as a good luck charm during sporting events,” Monge wrote in his thesis. “This is completely antithetical to SDSU’s achievements in diversity.”

Monge found in his research that people in the region incorrectly believed the Aztecs were a local tribe.

Video and images from early in SDSU’s history show students dressed as stereotypical plains Indians, complete with teepees and feathered headdresses.

An article defending the mascot published in the Daily Aztec just two years ago makes the same erroneous connection.

The Aztec Empire never stretched any closer than 1800 miles to San Diego.

The connection is rooted in ignorance.

Monge said he was supportive of the N7 initiative, however, and that he thought it was a positive for native communities.

“The N7 event benefits a really cool program called Inter Tribal Sports,” Monge wrote in an email. “The kids love coming to see a basketball game.”

Given the weight of evidence and history of SDSU, it is difficult to accept that the school is interested in honoring Native American heritage, however, when they rely on ignorance to preserve their racist moniker.

The institution is heavily invested in maintaining its brand.

Make no mistake, that is all this is about — branding.

From the time students begin considering attending SDSU, the university begins cramming its Aztec brand down their throats.

Everything at this university — including this newspaper — is draped in racist “Aztec” branding.

A robust alumni network is similarly attached to the Aztec mythos SDSU marketers work tirelessly to maintain.

Past efforts to change the mascot have

been hampered by these alumni.

Why should racist iconography continue in perpetuity to appease the nostalgia of past students?

Healthy, functioning people should not wrap their identity in corporate branding but that is what SDSU strives for in its students and alumni.

Two of the university’s websites — GoAztecs.com and MySDSU’s admissions page — have, this year, featured white students wearing stereotypical Native American face paint, a practice considered by many to be comparable to blackface.

In a letter to President Eliot Hirshman dated Nov. 17, Monge said that by allowing an inherently racist institutional identity to continue the university granted students license to engage in “racial drag” or “redface.”

The photo on GoAztecs was removed after Monge posted it to his “Fail Montezuma” Facebook page. The photo on MySDSU has similarly disappeared.

Proponents of the culturally insensitive brand argue that it creates a sense of community and school pride.

But how much pride can really be found in something representative of a legacy of colonialism and genocide?

Even the architecture of the university, designed to mimic a Spanish colonial mission, reflects this.

Monge compares the issue with that of other marginalized groups.

“I wonder how different things would be if the school’s architecture was based on a plantation with a pickaninny or mammy mascot,” he said. “But the nature of racism against Native Americans in this country is so pernicious, it’s normalized.”

If SDSU was truly interested in honoring Native American heritage, it would sweep its racist mascot and moniker into the dustbin of history where they belong — not just change the color of its basketball team’s jersey for one game a year. That, however, will require more students and alumni to stand up, once and for all, for what is right.

“Therein lies the rub,” Monge said.

“They’re counting on people not knowing the truth to keep the Aztec nonsense going. A university that tries to keep people ignorant — ain’t that grand?”

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Alex Piscatelli COPY EDITOR Brian del Carmen SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Will Fritz STAFF WRITERS Sarah Anderson Nicole Badgley Ahmad Dixon Austin Gayle Alex Hall Alex Noble Brendan Price Rebeca Reyes Monserrat Torres Georgina Vargas Kayleigh Venne STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Kristian Carreon Christian Hicks Elissa Tauscher _____________________________________ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR John Weil SALES MANAGER Matthew Volk ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Connor Brooke Stephane Voitzwinkler Kelsey Silver Kamisha McKnight Georjana Doane ACCOUNTING & CONTRACTS Tyler Burnett Kalie Christensen _____________________________________ GENERAL MANAGER/ADVISER Jay Harn GRAPHICS SPECIALIST Chris Blakemore _____________________________________ ADVERTISING 619.594.6977 advertising@thedailyaztec.com EDITORIAL 619.594.4190 editor@thedailyaztec.com PRINT The Daily Aztec publishes 5,000 copies of its weekly print edition on Wednesdays.

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NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: JOSÉ GUZMÁN-QUIRINO • MUNDOAZTECA@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

MUNDO AZTECA 5

Viaje a Cuba, una experencia única

Estudiantes comparten lo que aprendieron sobre la cultura y vida en un país socialista MONSERRAT TORRES ESCRITORA ____________________________________ Departamentos académicos de San Diego State University ofrecen programas para estudiar en el extranjero, el Departamento de Estudios Latinoamericanos, por ejemplo ofrece un viaje a la Havana, Cuba durante el verano.

El viaje es de 3 semanas y comienza a partir del 20 de mayo hasta el 10 de junio del 2017.

Las clases son impartidas en el Centro de Estudios Martianos donde los estudiantes se preparan para aprender más de la cultura, política, economía y otros aspectos típicos del país.

El precio aproximado del programa es de $4,515 lo que incluye boleto redondo, hospedaje, transportación en la ciudad, una comida al día y la visa Cubana.

Este programa les permite a los estudiantes no solo aprender dentro del salón de clase pero también conocer la ciudad y incluye un viaje de fin de semana a Varadero, una playa turística popular en Cuba.

Rebecca Arreola, estudiante de Estudios Latinoamericanos, en SDSU, quiso estudiar en Cuba porque le parecía prohibido hacerlo al ser ciudadana de los Estados Unidos.

Ella dijo que no se arrepiente

Los estudiantes tienen la oportunidad de aprender sobre muchos aspectos del país.

JOSÉ GUZMÁN-QUIRINO, EDITOR DE MUNDO AZTECA

de haberlo hecho ya que fue una experiencia enriquecedora fuera y dentro del aula de clases.

Arreola tuvo la oportunidad de abordar temas como el del Bloqueo o la Guerra Fría desde una perspectiva Cubana y pudo apreciar que la vida en Cuba se vive de una forma más sencilla.

“Las personas son más relajadas y

toman las cosas más despacio”, dijo Arreola. “Hay mucha calma y alegría que disfrutar con solo caminar en el malecón o sentarse a escuchar a la gente hablar y tocar música”.

Todos los estudiantes de SDSU pueden participar y no importa cual sea su carrera.

Loren Fernández, estudiante de

Español, decidió estudiar en Cuba en el 2015 porque le pareció un lugar único para conocer y aprender.

Fernández considera que no hay mejor manera de conocer Cuba si no es mediante un programa de estudios en el extranjero.

“Hay mucha cosas que procesar cuando se visita Cuba, es muy fácil solo ver algunos aspectos importantes de lo que es”, dijo Fernández. “Nuestro profesor el Dr. Anthony Jerry, nos guió en discusión y ayudó a ver los diferentes componentes de lo que realmente es ir a Cuba. Pienso que para que alguien realmente aprecie Cuba, deben de ir con un programa de SDSU”.

Fernández descubrió que el viaje había superado sus expectativas porque encontró el balance perfecto fuera y dentro de clases, tuvo la oportunidad de explorar la cuidad, interactuar con los Cubanos y escuchar lecciones de política, economía, teoría social y ver las realidades de lo que se dice de Cuba.

Estudiante de psicología, Laura Mejía, dijo que a pesar de lo que se dice de Cuba a ella le interesaría ir al país ya que nunca ha ido de viaje.

“La posibilidad de irme a Cuba sería maravilloso porque he escuchado que es un lugar lleno de historia y que tiene paisajes bonitos”, dijo Mejía.

Los interesados tienen hasta marzo del 2017 para llenar su solicitud de viaje.

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6 SPORTS

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: ANTHONY RECLUSADO • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

Aztecs’ national prominence falters BRENDAN PRICE STAFF COLUMNIST ____________________________________ San Diego State football started this Mountain West season with a bang, but ended with a whimper.

The Aztecs closed their regular season with a thunderous defeat, coughing up a season-high 63 points to Colorado State University on Senior Night at Qualcomm Stadium last Saturday.

Twenty-five percent of the points the Aztecs gave up all year were against the Rams, and 97 points in the last two losses combined.

The steady increase in casual fan interest and positive national awareness into recruiting is very suddenly momentum lost.

Both the results and manner of achieving them, or not, severely hampers the Aztecs’ efforts to continue building a nationally regarded football program going forward.

Look, this is not the “end of days” and all hope is lost. SDSU still has the MW Championship to play against Wyoming University, who have exceeded all expectations, and a bowl game.

Those are significant chances for the Aztecs to put a bow on an overall successful year: ten wins, back-to-back MW championships and the program’s seventh straight bowl bid.

However, it is a major dent to the local fan base and national eyes that were beginning to latch on to the Aztecs’

successful run and senior running back Donnel Pumphrey’s pursuit of the alltime NCAA rushing record, and even the Heisman Trophy.

The Aztecs dominated early in conference play, cruising to a 6-0 start in the MW, allowing only 42 total points in those six games.

That level of dominance added weight to the argument that a very talented team had one bad game, and was still the class of their conference.

It was an easy rationalization and sell a national audience who regarded the Aztecs as a Top 25 program with the best running back in college football.

After these two losses, it applies more credence to the belief that SDSU is merely a good team in an average conference, that happens to have the best running back in college football.

There isn’t necessarily a “program on the rise” or any other trendy phrase to describe State’s ascension to the national conversation.

Locally, the Aztecs averaged over 37,000 fans per game at Qualcomm this season, the highest since the Marshall Faulk era.

Yet, their late season slide will cost them an opportunity to play a conference championship game on home grounds, in front of potentially one of the larger crowds in program history.

Instead, fans will be forced to watch them play on television as they make a return trip to Laramie, Wyo. Whereas it may have been easier to convince the casual fan to come

see a record-breaking performance from Pumphrey and a conference championship in person with thousands of other San Diegans, making that same sell to plop down and watch ESPN for four hours is a bit more difficult.

In that vein, after last weekend’s bludgeoning, Pumphrey still sits just over 200 yards away from the all-time FBS record for rushing yards. Pumphrey didn’t start against the Rams and only recorded 53 yards on 18 carries.

Unfortunately, the senior from Las Vegas is no longer in consideration for the Heisman Trophy after the performance.

He was at one point viewed as the only real challenger to University of Louisville’s sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson.

It also means that if he is to break the all-time record, it will be done in either a conference championship or a bowl game, both in front of non-partisan red and black crowds.

The ancillary benefit of the Heisman hype was the additional amount of national attention that was paid to a solid, developing football program on the West Coast that head coach Rocky Long has spent the last six years crafting.

The 2017 signing class already includes three Texans, two players from the highly touted Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas and two-star recruit Connor Mitchell from Illinois.

This offseason could have been a crucial hurdle for the Aztecs in trying to establish a fertile recruiting ground beyond just the southwestern United States and Southern

California, and using a nationally ranked and developing winner as a prime recruiting tool.

With a non-conference season next year that includes two Pac-12 schools, including Stanford University, and Boise State returning to the schedule, the Aztecs badly needed to capitalize on this season’s momentum to continue the recruiting push headed into the offseason.

Keeping attendance trending in the right direction is equally as vital for SDSU, especially with the uncertainty of the home for Aztec football due to the Qualcomm quagmire.

Instead, the MW championship is in the land of the sheep, and the questions about how a suddenly porous defense will be rectified, await.

Senior linebacker Calvin Munson takes a knew after the loss to Colorado State.

CHRISTIAN HICKS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

STEVE HE BELIEVES THAT WE WILL WIN. COACH STEVE FISHER HAS BUILT THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM IN SDSU HISTORY, AND MODELED THE UNIVERSITY’S MANTRA, “LEADERSHIP STARTS HERE,” FOR A CADRE OF TALENTED YOUNG STUDENT-ATHLETES. TO HONOR HIS LEGACY, SDSU CREATED THE STEVE FISHER ENDOWMENT, WHICH WILL SUPPORT AZTEC BASKETBALL EXCELLENCE FOR DECADES TO COME. VISIT CAMPAIGN.SDSU.EDU

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: ANTHONY RECLUSADO • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

SPORTS 7

SDSU to face Wyoming for MW title Redshirt freshman running back Juwan Washington rushes for a touchdown in the 63-31 loss to Colorado State.

CHRISTIAN HICKS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

AUSTIN GAYLE STAFF COLUMNIST ____________________________________ Despite being bullied by Colorado State in its final regular season contest to the tune of a 63-31 loss, San Diego State football has an opportunity to escape from the locker and regain its dignity in the Mountain West Championship against the University of Wyoming.

Only three weeks removed from their 34-33 loss to the Cowboys, the Aztecs hope to remove the bad taste left in their mouth from the missed two-point conversion attempt that ultimately eliminated SDSU from the AP Top 25 poll.

Going back into Laramie, Wyo., the Aztecs will again battle relentless crowd noise and high altitudes, as Wyoming will host its first MW Championship in school history.

The Cowboys’ stable of eager fans should stampede into War Memorial Stadium in an effort to experience history even with below freezing weather already pinned into the forecast.

With unfavorable conditions looming over the Aztecs’ second showdown with the Cowboys, SDSU head coach Rocky Long will try to focus his team for it’s second conference championship.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Christian Chapman said his team has been ready for this game since the season began.

“Our goal since day one has been the championship game,” Chapman said.

“To go back up there and play the team that we did lose to, that’s still fresh on our mind, that’s tough. But we want to win a conference championship.”

Leading the charge will be SDSU senior running back Donnel Pumphrey, as he will look to legitimize his Heisman candidacy and push closer to passing former Wisconsin back Ron Dayne as the NCAA’s all-time leading rusher.

With 6,180 career rushing yards, Pumphrey needs 218 more yards in order to push ahead of Dayne. Through 12 games this season, he is the nation’s second leading rusher with 1,908 yards and has found the end zone 15 times.

Unfortunately for Pumphrey, the Wyoming’s defense will pose a threat to his historic run.

The Cowboys’ wrangled Pumphrey for then a season-low 76 yards the last time the two powerhouses squared off, and don’t expect them to loosen the lasso come Saturday.

Removing the Aztecs’ offense of its sharpest spear, Wyoming held SDSU to just 389 yards of total offense and just two offensive touchdowns.

On the opposite side of the ball, the Aztecs’ defense failed to limit the big play and had no business defending the run, allowing the Cowboys to keep the ball in their possession for 36:43 and accumulate 487 total yards.

Wyoming’s sophomore quarterback Josh Allen had his hand on the revolver

all night, as he led the Cowboys’ offense with 338 total yards and two touchdowns, both in the fourth quarter.

Long said defending Allen poses a unique challenge for his defense.

“He is a great passer of the football, so if you’re concerned about keeping him in the pocket without getting a proper rush on him, he’s going to kill you throwing the ball,” Long said. “But if you’re going to rush him ... you take the risk of him scrambling and making a big play. So there’s no right answer.”

Wyoming junior running back Brian Hill served as a catalyst to Allen’s dominant performance, as he garnered 131 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries, the best rushing performance by a running back against the SDSU defense this season.

Though Allen’s arm is exactly what put the Aztecs to rest in their last meeting, forcing Wyoming to throw the football will give SDSU’s defense the best chance to keep Allen and company from running up the score.

Allen is a gunslinger. He is more than willing to put the ball in harm’s way to make a play deep down the field, and when the Aztecs’ saw him on Nov. 19, his risky decisions paid off.

If they are able to contain Hill and the rest of Wyoming’s rushing attack, SDSU must look to senior cornerback Damontae Kazee and the rest of the secondary to do something the unit has done sparingly this season: defend the deep ball.

Against CSU, the Aztecs allowed junior quarterback Nick Stevens to complete 10 of 15 passes for 210 yards and four touchdowns.

If SDSU puts together a similar lackluster performance against Allen and company, the Cowboys’ gunslinger is going to shoot holes in the Aztecs’ shield early and often.

Offensively, the Aztecs’ game plan is obvious: feed Pumphrey and remain accurate in play action.

With only two opportunities left to pass Dayne, Pumphrey should come into Saturday’s game hungry for a significant amount of touches, so it’s up to him and the Aztecs’ offensive line to do their best with each carry.

Where Pumphrey goes, the SDSU offense follows – especially his backfield mates.

Junior Rashaad Penny and redshirt freshman Juwan Washington run wild when Pumphrey is stringing together significant gains, and Chapman is at his best when the running game is successful because it opens up the play action pass.

In order for SDSU to ride off into the sunset as MW Champions, they must rebound from two consecutive losses and put together a strong performance on both sides of the ball, because the Cowboys aren’t prepared to tip their 10-gallon hats, yet.

SDSU will take on Wyoming at 4:45 p.m. on Dec. 3 at War Memorial Stadium.

8 SPORTS

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: ANTHONY RECLUSADO • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

Cheatham soars against the Tigers

Redshirt sophmore Zylan Cheatham throws down a dunk against Savannah State.

KRISTIAN CARREON, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

ZACH ENGBERG ASST. SPORTS EDITOR ____________________________________ Before San Diego State men’s basketball began its 2016-17 season, sophomore point guard Jeremy Hemsley said his team’s offense was going to be something special.

“Our scoring is going to be something that Aztec fans aren’t used to seeing from this team,” Hemsley said. “They are used to grind-it-out, close games, but I think this team is capable of so

many more things.”

The Aztecs (4-1) showed just what Hemsley meant in a 100-67 domination over Savannah State University (2-6), reaching triple digits for the first time since a 118-35 win over St. Katherine College on Dec. 27, 2013.

SDSU put up 60 points in the first half on 47 shots, exceeding its scoring total from the 69-48 loss to Gonzaga University with 4:24 left in the first half.

The Tigers stayed close at the open, hitting three early 3-pointers en route to a 15-12 game deficit.

But senior guard Matt Shrigley quickly evaporated their chances with a personal 3-point barrage.

From the 14:11 mark to the 7:30 mark in the first half, the sharpshooter went 5-for-6 from behind the arc, inviting a louder and louder cheer from the Viejas crowd after each make and helping to open up a 41-24 lead.

His deadly range seemed to open up the rest of the offense, as from the time of his first three (15-12), the Aztecs outscored SSU 45-20 for the remainder of the first half.

In that run, SDSU had success in transition and in half-court sets, often making the extra pass that led to the open shot.

The highlight of the night, however, came when redshirt sophomore forward Zylan Cheatham went streaking down the court for a thunderous transition tomahawk dunk.

The series of Shrigley threes and Cheatham’s tomahawk brought The Show, SDSU’s renowned student section, to life.

Cheatham led the Aztecs with 18 points, a season high, and his second straight game in double figures.

One of five Aztecs in double figures, Cheatham was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field and 6-for-7 from the free throw line. Redshirt sophomore forward Max Hoetzel also added 15 points and eight rebounds.

Cheatham’s precision helped SDSU to a robust 60-32 halftime lead, the third highest-scoring half the team has had at Viejas Arena since it opened in

1997.

The Tigers came out strong to start the second half despite the large deficit, aided by a 2-for-15 SDSU shooting streak when none of the five starters were on the floor.

Shrigley, who was 5-for-6 from the field in the first half, was a part of that cold run, as he went 0-for-7 in the second half, including 0-for-6 from behind the arc.

But the return of the starting lineup, specifically Hemsley and junior guard Trey Kell, ignited a 10-0 run late in the second half that all but put away the Tigers.

Despite not shooting well - Kell went 3-9 from the field and Hemsley 5-14 the duo combined for 16 of the team’s 22 assists.

What can’t be forgotten in all the offensive firepower is the defensive performance against a high-flying SSU team.

The Tigers averaged 93.6 points per game this season coming into the game, and had not been held under 70 points.

The Aztecs forced the Tigers into bad shots all game long, leading to a 32 percent mark from the floor, and a 1038 shooting clip from long distance.

The Aztecs once again dominated the turnover battle, forcing 17, which led to 23 points, while only committing 10 of their own, leading to only three points.

The Aztecs return to the hardwood for the Mountain West-Missouri Valley Challenge on Dec. 3 against Loyola University in Chicago.

The highs and lows in Aztec sports history In total, BYU tallied 613 total yards and one shameful loss for SDSU. “The game certainly didn’t help our image,” then head coach Claude Gilbert said after the game. “It should help us with our recruiting because a kid who saw the game or heard the final score can say, ‘Hey, I can play for San Diego State.

They need help desperately.”’

While the loss prevented the ‘79 team from receiving a bowl bid, this year’s squad clinched bowl eligibility in Week 7.

NOV. 29, 1987

Aztec Tim Parker defends against Bruin forward Billy Thompson.

FILE PHOTO

ANTHONY RECLUSADO SPORTS EDITOR ____________________________________ NOV. 24, 1979 Even though 37 years separate today’s team from the boys from the ‘70s, the regular season finales couldn’t make these teams more identical.

Heading into the final game of the season, the San Diego State football team played BYU and it was billed as a program changing match.

The 8-2 Aztecs were embarrassed in front of roughly 46,000 fans and a national television audience. The final score was 63-14.

The defeat blundered a promising 1979 season that featured wins against Wisconsin University, Utah University, Arizona University and Miami Univeristy (FL).

Similar to the 63-31 beat down the current SDSU squad experienced last Saturday against Colorado State, the ‘79 squad was unable to prevent the Cougars from airing out the ball.

BYU’s quarterback Marc Wilson completed 13 of 21 passes for 278 yards and four touchdown passes, including three in the first half. Again the similarities are uncanny, as the Rams’ quarterback Nick Stevens finished last week’s match 15 of 20 for 210 yards and four scores.

While not as well-documented as Steve Young, then men’s soccer head coach Chuck Clegg removed an equally large monkey off his back when the 1987 team defeated UCLA for the first time in 17 matches since 1969.

Clegg, who was a freshman player in 1970, became an assistant coach in 1977 and took the reins of the program in 1982.

“The gorilla is off my back,” he yelled when the final whistle sounded. “It’s been

The victory came at UCLA before a crowd of roughly 1,800.

SDSU’s Gerardo Jimenez, who transferred to SDSU for his senior season, gave SDSU the early lead with a goal in the 11th minute. UCLA responded six minutes later on an errant Aztec pass in the Bruins’ offensive third and shot one by goalie Bryan Finnerty.

While seniors carried SDSU to that point, it was a freshman who scored the deciding goal for the Aztecs. Eric Wynalda took a pass from Jimenez 25 yards out and tucked the ball in the far corner.

Finnerty combined skill and luck to stave off an opportunistic Bruin offense, especially in the second half.

In the final 30 minutes of play UCLA bombarded Finnerty with shots, including three that hit the crossbar.

“I was just wondering when one was going to go in,” Finnerty said. “Every time I looked up they were coming at me again. But we wanted this game.”

SDSU’s win sent the program to the

“ THE GORILLA IS OFF MY BACK ... IT’S BEEN 18 YEARS OF FRUSTRATION.”

- Chuck Clegg, Men’s soccer head coach 18 years of frustration.”

The win was more sweeter for Clegg, who lost earlier in the season to the Bruins, 3-1, becuase, he was able to release 18 seasons of frustration in a 2-1 win in the 1987 NCAA semifinal match.

Final Four for the first, and last, time in school history. The Aztecs went on to beat Harvard the following week on penalty kicks to advance to the NCAA final.

The ‘79 team ultimately lost 2-0 to host Clemson University the next day.

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: CHRISTINE WHITMAN • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

ARTS & CULTURE 9

Downtown grill offers fresh seafood NICOLE BADGLEY STAFF WRITER ____________________________________ Upon arrival to Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill, I was overwhelmed by the aroma of fresh seafood and flavors fumigating in the air.

To my left, I saw a display window full of fresh options running along the whole side of the shop.

To my right, I saw a few indoor tables as well as an outdoor seating area with string lights hanging overhead.

To say the least, the ambiance was pretty lit.

I recently made a visit to Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill off India Street in Downtown San Diego.

The seafood tasted fresh, the staff was friendly, the service was fast and the environment was lively yet casual and cozy.

The menu comes with a plethora of fresh seafood to choose from, including red snapper, yellowtail, shark, calamari, seared ahi, jumbo scallops, grilled shrimp, swordfish and others.

The best aspect of the menu was the ability to personalize my order by choosing the type of fish I wanted, the flavor of marinade I wanted it cooked in and how I wanted it prepared.

Guests can choose to have their seafood prepared in a sandwich, in a salad, on a plate with rice or in tacos.

Rachael Hoffner is 22 years old and

has been working as a waitress at Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill for two months now.

“This is my favorite restaurant,” she sad. “The best part is being around all the fresh seafood. It’s just so good.”

I ordered the calamari, grilled shrimp and mahi mahi tacos, all with the lemon garlic butter marinade.

My favorite was the calamari, simply because I would never had calamari in a taco before, yet all three were fantastic.

While the menu does offer a wide variety of seafood options, be prepared that some of the options may not be available on certain days.

I originally decided to order the seared ahi, but I was told by the cashier that the kitchen was not making seared ahi that day.

I settled for the mahi mahi instead at the recommendation of the cashier, and was not disappointed.

Public administration senior Donny Chen ordered the shark taco originally, but the staff also informed him that the shark was not available that day.

He went with the yellowtail instead, and was pleased with this option.

Our appetizers arrived in less than 10 minutes.

We ordered the fried calamari, which tasted fresh and was big enough for three of us to share.

Our entrées arrived just a few minutes later. I was impressed at the speediness of the service.

Blue Water Seafood and Grill offers a plethra of fresh seafood to choose from.

NICOLE BADGLEY, STAFF WRITER

The hefty portions in the tacos were a huge plus as well. My fish taco came with two large pieces of mahi mahi, and my shrimp taco did not skimp on the shrimp either.

Along with the great quality food, my favorite part of the restaurant was the outdoor atmosphere.

Although the restaurant is right next to the freeway, the rustic décor and lively music transport guests to another place.

It was really not as big of a nuisance as I would have expected.

“I really liked the atmosphere. It was really laid back and everyone working

there was super friendly,” said Jessica Davis, a public administration junior. “I got the clam chowder and a wahoo fish.

Both were delicious and I even ordered a second bowl of soup to go!”

Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill is the perfect place for those looking for great quality and authentic seafood at a casual, cozy environment.

The menu is filled with plenty of options that allow guests to mix and match food and flavor for their particular tastes while relaxing in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

I will definitely be going back for more tacos.

Resident therapy dog provides helping paw SARAH ANDERSON STAFF WRITER ____________________________________ Counseling and Psychological Services offers an array of services to help students throughout the course of the semester.

Some services include individual counseling, couples counseling, group therapy, workshops, specialized programs and even therapy dogs.

Baxter is a seven-year-old Cocker Spaniel, Poodle and Maltese mix who spreads comfort and love around San Diego State.

And he has an Instagram as “baxteratsdsu.”

As SDSU’s resident therapy dog, Baxter helps students cope with a variety of issues, such as stress, homesickness and depression.

Baxter also sees many students who are simply missing their own beloved pets.

“It seems like he was born to do it,” Calpulli Center psychologist Diana Bull said. “He can tell when students are struggling.”

Baxter is in the Calpulli Center whenever he has a scheduled appointment.

He has his own office, where he socializes with whoever walks through the door.

Bull said Baxter loves it.

“He’ll roll over onto his back and just lay there until someone scratches his belly,” Bull said.

To those who do not generally enjoy dogs, do not worry.

“Baxter will make you a dog person,” Bull said.

Therapy dogs have been proven to reduce stress and improve overall health in many different scientific studies.

As reported in Nursing Research

Journal, a positive psychological relationship between humans and their companion animals can signigicantly decrease blood pressure through their interactions.

Although college is usually described as the “best years of life,” Bull said the transition from living at home to moving away from your family for the first time can be difficult for students.

Bull, who obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology from SDSU, worked as both a residential advisor and peer educator in the counseling center.

She also worked with children in a group home for a few years after college and described the experience as inspiring.

Bull returned to college to help students transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Bull said Baxter can help smooth the transition because animals love unconditionally, never judge and are consistent companions.

Beyond helping individual students, Baxter helps to make mental health approachable and works with many student outreach groups on campus.

He is almost always present at CPS events.

Baxter is often seen with the Active Minds group, a student organization that focuses on depleting the stigma associated with mental health issues.

“Baxter serves as a stigma reducer,” Director of Counseling and Psychology Services Jennifer Rikard said. “He’s often more palatable to engage with than our offices.”

Baxter has an impressive resume.

He is a licensed therapy dog, which is different than an emotional support animal.

As a therapy dog he deals with masses of people, instead of a specific household or individual.

Counseling and Psychological Services provides different services, including therapy dogs like Baxter.

COURTESY OF BAZTERATSDSU ON INSTAGRAM

To become a licensed therapy dog, Baxter had to pass several tests to get his certification.

He was tested on his ability to maintain composure around hospital equipment, loud noises and food, as well as his ability to interact with a multitude of different people.

He passed with flying colors.

Students can make an appointment with Baxter by calling the Counseling and Psychological Services department

at 619-594-5220.

The offices are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.

During finals week, Baxter can usually be found in the Love Library interacting with students.

His updated schedule is typically posted on his Instagram throughout the year.

When he is not on campus bringing joy to students, Baxter lives the good life at home with his owner Rikard.

10 ARTS & CULTURE

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: CHRISTINE WHITMAN • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

Aztec Adventures offers fresh air ALEX NOBLE STAFF WRITER ____________________________________ Aztec Adventures offers a breath of fresh air for the routine monotony of college life.

Established in 1977, Aztec Adventures is a division of Aztec Recreation that provides an opportunity for students to not only explore the great outdoors but to develop friendships and life skills.

According to their website, Aztec Adventures provides San Diego State students opportunities to experience outdoor challenges that aim to promote personal growth, health and wellness, leadership, relationship building and environmental responsibility. “(The program is) an opportunity for students to disconnect from city life and connect with each other,” outdoor program coordinator Ben Ramaeker said. “The trips help individuals to learn about themselves and others.”

Don’t let the name fool you. While Aztec Adventures promises a good time, with activities ranging from hiking to white water rafting, students are ultimately learning experiences in nontraditional settings.

“All of our training and programs are based in a model of experiential learning,” Ramaeker said. “We want to demonstrate and therefore teach you skills in a way that you can take the knowledge and apply it to all aspects of

life.”

Personal growth is a major goal of Aztec Adventures.

This hands-on approach has a way of enhancing comprehension and reinforcing the real world applications of lessons long after the trip has ended.

“You may not be rock climbing in a literal sense,” Ramaeker said. “But you can apply the confidence and personal insights you’ve gained from that experience to other situations.”

Aztec Adventures is meant to enhance one’s college experience when it comes to a relationships as well. With almost 35,000 Aztecs and counting, some students find it difficult to find their niche within such a massive student body. However, Aztec Adventures provides an inclusive community.

“A lot of feedback that we get from both past and current students that participate is that it made them feel connected to the university,” Ramaeker said. “Some have even said that it was their reason for being here!”

Ramaeker said it is essential for the group to be identified as a family where every student is encouraged to strive for success.

The group meets about a week before each outing to break the ice and develop trust between one another.

An important aspect of Aztec Adventures is the organization’s emphasis on sustainability.

Aztecs Adventures offer hands-on experiences about the great outdoors.

COURTESY OF AZTEC ADVENTURES ON INSTAGRAM

“We promote sustainable travel,” Ramaeker said. “We are guided by the principles of the Leave No Trace organization, which help to preserve and conserve the natural areas in which we recreate in.”

Aztec Adventures utilizes the equipment of sustainable local manufactures.

They also opt for vegetarian meals in order to reduce not only the intake of processed foods but also the potential litter that often comes with them. These meals are often made from the products

of the college community garden located on campus.

“We aim to be organic and wholesome all the way through,” Ramaeker said.

This food and equipment are both provided. “Bring yourself and a positive attitude,” Ramaeker said. “We do the rest.”

Past adventures include trips to Yosemite, Joshua Tree, The Grand Canyon and Zion National Park with many more to come during the spring semester.

Downtown gallery welcomes ‘depravities’ KAYLEIGH VENNE STAFF WRITER ____________________________________ War and conflict tend to be recurring themes found throughout various works of art.

Los Angeles artist, Sandow Birk, has depicted the theme of war and its aftermath throughout two series’ of his artworks featured in the exhibit, “Sandow Birk: Depravities & Monuments.”

This exhibit consists of selected works from “The Depravities of War” and “Imaginary Monuments” and is curated

by Professor Tina Yapelli.

The exhibit is featured in San Diego State’s Downtown Gallery through Jan. 29, 2017.

The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Located on West Broadway, the gallery features various exhibits and lectures throughout the year sponsored

by Arts Alive, the School of Art + Design and the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts.

Admission is free and open to the public.

“Depravities & Monuments” consists of Birk’s commentary on the Iraq war and the aftermath that it had on society.

Birk infers from experiences in his lifetime to demonstrate his negative feelings toward the destructive ramifications of violence and bloodshed in war.

The woodcut prints throughout “The Depravities of War” tell a gruesome narrative.

There are fourteen pieces in the series each titled with just a single word to showcase the sequential stages of war and the damage that follows.

The series begins with “Obsession” and shows the public’s fixation and

support of the Iraq war.

Crowds of people have formed a line to enlist for the army at a table with a sign that reads, “Enlist army, free college.”

“Preparation” and “Invasion” follow, eventually leading to the final stages of war, “Humiliation” “Investigation” “Execution” and finally “Repercussion.”

The last prints show a man hanging from a rope with an audience surrounding him in support of his execution.

Birk successfully recreates the new violent mentality that society took on after the war took place in this piece.

“I’m very much impressed by the amount of historic and current references reflected throughout his works,” public administration senior Donny Chen said. “I am also impressed by the way he ironically portrays America’s ‘greatness.’”

The final print shows a crowd of people in wheelchairs and on crutches, clearly suffering physical consequences of the war.

The crowd surrounds a sign that reads, “Veteran’s Services” and the mood is visibly grimmer than the first print in the series.

The second series featured in the exhibit, “Imaginary Monuments,” is an ongoing project that began in 2011.

The series is especially striking and consists of futuristic drawings.

These pieces showcase new proposed laws and treaties to regulate society on a global scale. The series eerily parallels the “New World Order” conspiracy theory that refers to one totalitarian world government.

An etching titled, “Proposal for a Monument to the Treaty of Outer Space,” displays a large monument portraying various articles to govern celestial bodies in our universe.

Los Angeles artist Sandow Birk displays his latest work in the San Diego State Downtown Gallery.

KAYLEIGH VENNE, STAFF WRITER

The piece causes the viewer to wonder if our society does, in fact, have the potential to move toward one government ruling over not only the entire world, but planets as well.

“Proposal for a monument to the NYPD,” addresses the issue of equal rights in our society today.

In the piece, the monument has the letters “FTP” on it and looks as if it is about to crumble and fall apart.

Graffiti covers the monument that reads, “Kill cops,” “I can’t breathe” and “Black Lives Matter.”

It is clear that Birk referenced the recent police brutality and Black Lives Matter movement that is currently happening throughout the nation.

“The Imaginary Monuments were really interesting,” La Mesa resident Kat

Stange said. “I felt that it really reflected what’s going on in our society. I’d definitely want to see more of his work.”

“The Forgotten Garden of Treaties Never Ratified by the United States” and “Proposal for a Monument to Ending Mass Incarceration” are among other works found in “Imaginary Monuments.”

Birk uses his voice as an artist to demonstrate his political views and feelings on our government and society.

He does so in a raw and captivating way.

To learn more about his work, the public may attend a lecture by Sandow Birk himself on Friday, Dec. 2 at SDSU in Storm Hall West room 011.

Birk will also be giving an exhibition tour at noon on Dec. 2 at SDSU’s Downtown Gallery.

ARTS & CULTURE

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: CHRISTINE WHITMAN • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

11

Creating businesses from hobbies NICOLE BADGLEY STAFF WRITER ____________________________________ It’s a skill to turn everyday hobbies like necklace making, painting, carving and photography into business ventures.

Some entrepreneurs sell their work as part-time business owners, while others rely on their full-time shops as a means to provide for themselves and their families.

The SoCal Etsy Guild Market of San Diego is a public event of local designers, artists and vendors.

This month, vendors gathered their booths at from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m on Nov. 19 at Westfield Mission Valley.

Stephanie Payan has been running the SoCal Etsy Guild Market for four years.

There are three to ten events held every month throughout Southern California.

This event is intended to support small businesses and those who make a full-time living of selling handmade goods.

“We wanted to create awareness about shopping local and supporting local businesses and giving people an alternative to buying mainstream,” Payan said. “For a lot of people, this is how they support themselves and their families so it’s really cool that you get to meet the people who are making your product and you get to buy directly from the source rather than buying from a corporation or faceless

person that you’ll never know.”

Payan said the event has a loyal following of vendors that travel with the event throughout Southern California the whole year.

One vendor sold homemade bath bombs, lotions and soaps.

Many of the soaps were shaped as food or holiday items like cupcakes or snowmen.

The man behind the booth said his mother makes and designs the items at home and he sells them as a way to provide for their family.

Another vendor informed eventgoers about her organic and local produce.

The business delivers the produce to customers’ doors twice a month and is as affordable as grocery store produce.

Linda Queally is one vendor who follows the event.

Originally from Long Beach, Queally travels to venues in Thousand Oaks, Riverside, downtown Los Angeles and Orange County selling her art.

“I do three different kinds of medium and they all relate to my love for the ocean and my love for the water,” Queally said. “I paint mermaids and I’m also a photographer. My favorite subject here is surfers and the ocean.”

She said her favorite venues to work at are south of Long Beach because that’s where the water lovers are and where her art resonates with people the most.

Queally studied gemology and uses this knowledge to make jewelry as well. She said she uses mermaids for a

CROSSWORDS

ACROSS 1 Rough guess 5 Company that developed the first aluminum teakettle 10 Pre-coll. catchall 14 Words of lament 15 Inventive types?

16 Wild way to run 17 Stock in company producing solar panels, e.g.

20 California rolls and such 21 Bud holder?

22 Touch-and-go 23 Swell treatment 25 Cato, for one 27 Exonerated by the evidence 33 Single

34 Suggested actions 35 Wish for 37 In-flight fig.

38 Jack’s value, sometimes 39 Spearheaded 40 Fixture that may have claw feet 41 Closed in on 43 Fish that can swim backwards 44 A.L. West pro, informally 45 Standing hospitable offer 48 Five-time Olympic swimming gold medalist Ledecky 49 Church-owned Dallas sch.

50 Moth-__ 53 “Inside Politics” airer 55 Initial stage 59 Take on holes 10 through 18 ... and a hint to a letter sequence hidden in 17-, 27and 45-Across 62 Vacation spot 63 Nemesis 64 Canal past Rochester 65 Far from friendly 66 Parceled (out) 67 Frees (of) DOWN 1 Loses firmness 2 No __ traffic

3 Former Iowa Straw Poll city 4 Dwelling fit for a queen 5 Boxer Laila 6 Website offering 7 Stalactite sites 8 Home of college football’s Ducks 9 Mule’s father 10 White-coated weasels 11 Golf ball positions 12 Sound of frustration, often 13 __-bitty 18 Good-natured 19 Copied, in a way 24 Called the whole thing off 26 Early assemblyline autos 27 Arrange 28 Logger’s contest 29 Ready to draw, as beer 30 Physics particle 31 Capone cohort 32 Cape Cod community 36 Black, in verse 38 Studio renter 39 Sweet-smelling garland 42 Typed in again 43 50-50 wager 44 Knockout 46 __ Creed 47 Wild way to run 50 Large-scale 51 “One more thing ... “ 52 Towering 54 Put a handle on 56 Apple Watch assistant 57 Oklahoma city 58 Driving needs?

60 Clothes line 61 Dancer Charisse

PLEASE NOTE: The views expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect those of The Daily Aztec. Comments? Email us at letters@thedailyaztec.com

Vendors at the SoCal Etsy Guild Market San Diego display their crafts.

NICOLE BADGLEY, STAFF WRITER

lot of her centerpieces and uses pearls in almost every piece she makes.

She said she likes using real stones and real pearls in her pieces and being able to tell her customers what exactly is in a piece he or she is buying.

“I traveled four months in Mexico so a lot of my photography is also about Mexico and because we’re so close to the Mexican border down here, I find that everything I do, people can relate

to,” Queally said.

The SoCal Etsy Guild Market is a helpful platform for small businesses to sell to local customers and a way for vendors to connect and grow their businesses.

For those interested in supporting local business and buying natural or handmade items, the event will return to San Diego on Dec. 3 with new local vendors.

12 THE BACK PAGE

NOV. 30 - DEC. 6, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: CHRISTINE WHITMAN • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

Welcoming the dark arts program

AHMAD DIXON STAFF WRITER ____________________________________

N

ot a lot of people know that San Diego State has one of the best dark arts programs in the California State University system.

'Editor’s Note: San Diego State may or may not actually have a ‘dark arts program.’

We are second only to Humboldt, where half the undergraduate population is some sort of vampire.

I was able to experience this rather bizarre program first hand this semester when I took “Introduction to Necromancy,” the art of raising the dead, to fulfill a general education requirement.

At the beginning I thought the class was an easy “A.” For the most part the class was just memorizing incantations and trying not to inhale the smoke that came out of the cauldrons.

The hardest part was probably the fact I had to be in the secret basement under Hepner Hall by midnight every Wednesday and Friday if I wanted to be on time.

Books were also kind of tricky to acquire.

To get the newest edition you had to go to the forbidden bookstore, on top of Dread Mountain, during the first full moon after the winter solstice and deliver a blood sacrifice to the gatekeeper who resides in the space between the third and fourth dimension.

Since I am banned from Dread Mountain due to an incident involving a goat and a forest fire, I asked my professor if I could get a used copy off

of Amazon.

She said it wasn’t ideal but if I couldn’t get the newest edition it was fine.

I am using female pronouns for my professor just because her disembodied voice sounded feminine.

She appeared to us as an amorphous shadow that could only be seen out of the corner of our eyes.

I started having problems in the class when we got our first in-class assignment.

The week before our professor asked

freeway.

But on the bright side, I saved myself the awkward conversation with the on-staff veterinarian on why I needed someone's recently deceased pet.

As I am sitting there, feeling kind of silly, looking around and seeing cats of various colors and shapes walking about the room.

They are purring, getting pet, swatting at cat toys, really enjoying their second lives and looking forward to their other seven.

I watch all this for about 15 minutes

IF YOU ARE EVER IN HEPNER HALL AND HEAR THE HELLISH SCREAMS OF THE DAMNED, DON'T WORRY, IT IS JUST MY CAT. us to bring in a dead cat for class on Wednesday.

So, being the good student that I am, I scoured San Diego for a dead cat.

I eventually found one on the side of the freeway, but unfortunately I could only find the top half of the animal.

It was already Tuesday evening, so, not wanting to be late, I scooped up what I could and made my way to class.

When I got to class I saw all my classmates had cats that were perfectly intact.

What I found out later was that most students got corpses from a local animal hospital.

In hindsight, which is always 20/20, I probably should have gone that route instead of risking my life scooping up an animal carcass on the side of

DASNAPSHOTS

PHOTO GOES HERE

when my professor tells me that unless I attempt the ritual she will be forced to give me an “F.” I take a deep breath, extend my hand and recite the spell from memory.

Nothing happens. So I repeat the process. The cat lays there, mouth agape, eyes shut.

Again I recite the spell but this time I wrap my fingers around the animal's skull.

I then felt a strange amount of energy leave my body and I let go of my grip.

Then the cat’s mouth shut and it’s eyes opened.

Have you ever heard a cat with only semi-intact vocal chords scream? I have.

So this thing doesn’t seem to appreciate the new lease on life I have

given it.

It’s walking around in oblong circles, dropping internal organs as it goes.

The other cats are hissing at it.

My classmates are unphased by it.

When you hang around cadavers all day nothing really gets to you anymore.

I wasn’t entirely sure what to do until someone graciously handed me a needle, a thread and the rear half of a cat.

I spent the next three hours sewing the two halves together, which probably would have taken under fifteen minutes if it had stopped squirming.

At 3 a.m. everyone has left and I’m stuck in the basement with a total abomination that won’t stop screaming.

I thought it would be a good idea to get it some food and milk but it seemed to be too focused on the never ending agony that it’s existence has become to eat or drink anything.

I gave up on the thing and left. If you are ever in Hepner Hall and hear the hellish screams of the damned, don’t worry, it is just my cat.

All in all I would say the class was worth taking.

I learned a lot of new skills that would be attractive to potential employers and I learned a new language that was previously only known to the fallen elder gods of yore.

Full disclosure, I earned a “C” on the cat project.

I technically completed the assignment by bringing the cat to life, even if it wished it were still dead.

'Editor’s Note: The Daily Aztec does not condone the bringing to life of previously dead animals.

If you don’t understand why, please refer to Stephen King’s ‘Pet Cemetery.'

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Photo editor Kelly Smiley snapped this photo of Murphy's Ranch in Los Angeles while hiking.

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