The view from the floor during the women's basketball game often looked a lot like this. Just wanted to clarify.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Referee Butt
The view from the floor during the women's basketball game often looked a lot like this. Just wanted to clarify.
Long Beach State pummels Cal State Fullerton
One or more of these photos should have been published on the CSUF Daily Titan newspaper Web site, but the internet editor either "forgot" or "didn't see them." So I'm posting all the photos I sent to the sports editor here.
Asian American Activism brings voice, empowerment
Published on the CSUF Daily Titan newspaper Web site Feb. 26.
Some Cal State Fullerton students are seeking a surge of Asian American and Pacific Islander activism. They dedicated a forum Feb. 12 to address the lack of representation within the U.S. government. Issues about immigration, welfare, paranoia and racism were also discussed.
Once a month the forum is created within the Multicultural Leadership Center and is designed to breed ideas geared toward ridding the strife of a community.
Headlined as "Asian American Activism," the forum initiated Asian American studies major Hideki Fukusumi's monthly discussions for the spring semester.
The 21-year-old promotes and moderates the monthly meeting, which is subtitled differently each session depending on relevant issues, but always follows the title of "Desserts & Dialogue." The forum has also adopted an adage similar to the Las Vegas saying, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." This allows students to speak their minds without the worry of gossip spreading on campus.
"I try to pick hot topics to discuss," Fukusumi said. "I picked activism this time because of the primaries."
The political discussion raised questions concerning generalized Asian American qualities, such as self-sufficiency and extreme individualism, which may contribute to the relaxed political drive.
"There's a problem with Asian generalization," Fukusumi said. "We're considered the model minority and it's a myth - a stereotype on our community."
The model minority myth is based on the idea that Asians are the perfect minority because they veer from trouble and thrive individualistically, according to Fukusumi.
"It's also bad because if we're held up to high expectations that we can't meet, it makes us question ourselves," he said. "It messes with your identity development."
The issue of Asian Americans facing opposition in politics because of questions regarding a division of loyalty between the U.S. and their "motherland," conjured discussions of paranoia and past incidents when Asians were accused of spilling U.S. government secrets.
The topic of paranoia reared another discussion based on the false accusation of Japanese farmers during WWII. The issue of the tomato plant theory enlightened most everyone in the intimate group of eight.
According to a 2001 U.C. Davis article on journalist Helen Zia, the tomato plant theory was the idea that West Coast Japanese farmers in the U.S. were capable of growing specialized tomato plants. These plants were designed to specifically point the stem and cap of each tomato toward U.S. Air Force bases. Soon after the accusations, the farmers were rounded up and locked away in internment camps.
An additional concern in the Asian American community is illegal immigration.
"I think Mexican [illegal] immigration is publicized more than Asian [illegal] immigration, especially in California, simply because we border Mexico," Fukusumi wrote in an e-mail. "I also think that once they've immigrated here, Mexicans tend to be more high-profile in looking for jobs, which contributes to this idea that Mexicans are the only illegal immigrants."
An hour's worth of discussion brought forth education as a solution to create awareness and youth activism. The group agreed these steps would set forth action, which is the catalyst for change.
Computer science major Bing Tsai, 27, appeared slightly shocked but also seemed interested in the subject and recalled times of racism.
"Of course there's the drive-by morons that speed by and shout out profanities," Tsai said. "I used to work in construction in America. I dropped out of school briefly for a few years and I just came back. I was usually the only Asian person on the whole work site. You try hard to fit in but people treat you differently because they have the idea that you don't fit in."
Because of the small percentage of Asian Americans, Tsai said he doesn't expect much representation, but he said it would be nice.
"You see them try to grab Hispanic votes and you see them try to grab black votes, but you never see anyone try to grab Asian votes," Tsai said.
Although he agreed with all the struggles mentioned, there is another problem Tsai said overshadows the rest.
"The thing that bothers me the most, and I believe is the worst problem, is human trafficking," Tsai said. "It's actually, from what I heard, the third biggest underground activity. The first one is drugs. The second one is guns. The third one is people. People are using Asian people to become prostitutes or slave laborers. In my opinion that's the worst thing facing us."
These meetings offer a way for people to speak up if they want, said Thomas Fujita Rony, an associate professor and the chairman of Asian American studies.
"Sometimes speaking up in a group is easier," Fujita Rony said in a phone interview.
Students interested in getting involved and learning about their community should take an Asian American course, he said.
"They require different levels of communication and they show why it's good to be civically engaged in their community," Fujita Rony said.
The next discussion is set for March 18 and will be held in the Titan Student Union Room 234. Appetizers such as chips, salsa and ice cream are offered along with beverages.
Students interested in more information may contact the Multicultural Leadership Center at 278-7366 or e-mail multiculturalcenter@fullerton.edu.
Some Cal State Fullerton students are seeking a surge of Asian American and Pacific Islander activism. They dedicated a forum Feb. 12 to address the lack of representation within the U.S. government. Issues about immigration, welfare, paranoia and racism were also discussed.
Once a month the forum is created within the Multicultural Leadership Center and is designed to breed ideas geared toward ridding the strife of a community.
Headlined as "Asian American Activism," the forum initiated Asian American studies major Hideki Fukusumi's monthly discussions for the spring semester.
The 21-year-old promotes and moderates the monthly meeting, which is subtitled differently each session depending on relevant issues, but always follows the title of "Desserts & Dialogue." The forum has also adopted an adage similar to the Las Vegas saying, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." This allows students to speak their minds without the worry of gossip spreading on campus.
"I try to pick hot topics to discuss," Fukusumi said. "I picked activism this time because of the primaries."
The political discussion raised questions concerning generalized Asian American qualities, such as self-sufficiency and extreme individualism, which may contribute to the relaxed political drive.
"There's a problem with Asian generalization," Fukusumi said. "We're considered the model minority and it's a myth - a stereotype on our community."
The model minority myth is based on the idea that Asians are the perfect minority because they veer from trouble and thrive individualistically, according to Fukusumi.
"It's also bad because if we're held up to high expectations that we can't meet, it makes us question ourselves," he said. "It messes with your identity development."
The issue of Asian Americans facing opposition in politics because of questions regarding a division of loyalty between the U.S. and their "motherland," conjured discussions of paranoia and past incidents when Asians were accused of spilling U.S. government secrets.
The topic of paranoia reared another discussion based on the false accusation of Japanese farmers during WWII. The issue of the tomato plant theory enlightened most everyone in the intimate group of eight.
According to a 2001 U.C. Davis article on journalist Helen Zia, the tomato plant theory was the idea that West Coast Japanese farmers in the U.S. were capable of growing specialized tomato plants. These plants were designed to specifically point the stem and cap of each tomato toward U.S. Air Force bases. Soon after the accusations, the farmers were rounded up and locked away in internment camps.
An additional concern in the Asian American community is illegal immigration.
"I think Mexican [illegal] immigration is publicized more than Asian [illegal] immigration, especially in California, simply because we border Mexico," Fukusumi wrote in an e-mail. "I also think that once they've immigrated here, Mexicans tend to be more high-profile in looking for jobs, which contributes to this idea that Mexicans are the only illegal immigrants."
An hour's worth of discussion brought forth education as a solution to create awareness and youth activism. The group agreed these steps would set forth action, which is the catalyst for change.
Computer science major Bing Tsai, 27, appeared slightly shocked but also seemed interested in the subject and recalled times of racism.
"Of course there's the drive-by morons that speed by and shout out profanities," Tsai said. "I used to work in construction in America. I dropped out of school briefly for a few years and I just came back. I was usually the only Asian person on the whole work site. You try hard to fit in but people treat you differently because they have the idea that you don't fit in."
Because of the small percentage of Asian Americans, Tsai said he doesn't expect much representation, but he said it would be nice.
"You see them try to grab Hispanic votes and you see them try to grab black votes, but you never see anyone try to grab Asian votes," Tsai said.
Although he agreed with all the struggles mentioned, there is another problem Tsai said overshadows the rest.
"The thing that bothers me the most, and I believe is the worst problem, is human trafficking," Tsai said. "It's actually, from what I heard, the third biggest underground activity. The first one is drugs. The second one is guns. The third one is people. People are using Asian people to become prostitutes or slave laborers. In my opinion that's the worst thing facing us."
These meetings offer a way for people to speak up if they want, said Thomas Fujita Rony, an associate professor and the chairman of Asian American studies.
"Sometimes speaking up in a group is easier," Fujita Rony said in a phone interview.
Students interested in getting involved and learning about their community should take an Asian American course, he said.
"They require different levels of communication and they show why it's good to be civically engaged in their community," Fujita Rony said.
The next discussion is set for March 18 and will be held in the Titan Student Union Room 234. Appetizers such as chips, salsa and ice cream are offered along with beverages.
Students interested in more information may contact the Multicultural Leadership Center at 278-7366 or e-mail multiculturalcenter@fullerton.edu.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Titan baseball ready for season
Published in CSUF's Daily Titan newspaper Feb. 14.
Cal State Fullerton Head Coach Dave Serrano speaking at a press conference at the Southern California baseball media day.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Animal testing may be on its last legs
Published in the CSUF Daily Titan newspaper Feb. 12.
Like acne, the human race has spread across Earth's beautiful face.
In time, we may experience the pressure of a pinch and we may splatter like puss all over a bathroom mirror.
Until then, we will continue to breed, build and abuse the environment, like the powerful and ruthless pirates we are.
But reality proves we are born weak and ill-equipped to survive in nature without the use of technology. The paradox is that technology may be the downfall of nature.
Recently, a new and seemingly nature-friendly technology emerged, which may appease the sensitive masses and slowly stifle the contentious issue of testing human products on lab animals.
Unfortunately, these humanitarian reasons are not really the cause for this research. The research comes in response to the possible ban of animal testing in Europe.
Nobody hugged a tree and came to their senses.
A group of researchers from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, UC Berkeley and Solidus Biosciences Inc. discovered a new method for testing toxic chemicals in makeup and drugs.
The group created two glass chips, or biochips, which resemble microscope slides. When pressed together, the DataChip, which exhibits human cell cultures, and the MetaChip, which acts as a human liver, mirror vital areas of a human body on which toxins may be tested.
Thus, ridding the need for live lab animals in testing facilities. Heroes, right?
After all, this new technology is definitely a logical step in the right direction, especially when a topic so debatable is free from livid arguments.
There's no need to continue murdering helpless animals for our own gain when more humane methods of testing are available.
This research is also actually backed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
"It focuses on one particular biological question, which is the major drawback in other types of non-animal based testing," said Kate Willett, a science policy adviser for P.E.T.A., in a phone interview. "They usually fail to include the issue of metabolism."
Willett said that researchers are beginning to address the problem of metabolism with this new method.
"I don't see any downside to this technology," Willett said. "It's an improvement over previous methods."
Willett also explained the technology not only reduces animal dependency, but is cheaper, faster and more precise - everything companies love.
However, a small but important issue arises within this semi-perfect plan. The companies investing into this research may try marketing ploys.
The clever advertising geniuses may devise ads stressing the fact that their company uses this new technology for testing, deceiving the public into believing new technology reared its wonderful head instead of admitting it could have been discovered earlier.
It's possible the corporations may convince the masses they have always viewed animals as equals in this biosphere.
The truth is the cosmetic companies in Europe are being forced to find alternative ways to test products because, according to the Rensselaer Web site, testing cosmetics on lab animals in Europe will likely be against the law by 2009.
These people are not changing their methods out of sheer desire. They're changing their methods because they're being pushed to do so.
What an ideal situation for corporations - forced to change, but still able to reap rewards.
Like acne, the human race has spread across Earth's beautiful face.
In time, we may experience the pressure of a pinch and we may splatter like puss all over a bathroom mirror.
Until then, we will continue to breed, build and abuse the environment, like the powerful and ruthless pirates we are.
But reality proves we are born weak and ill-equipped to survive in nature without the use of technology. The paradox is that technology may be the downfall of nature.
Recently, a new and seemingly nature-friendly technology emerged, which may appease the sensitive masses and slowly stifle the contentious issue of testing human products on lab animals.
Unfortunately, these humanitarian reasons are not really the cause for this research. The research comes in response to the possible ban of animal testing in Europe.
Nobody hugged a tree and came to their senses.
A group of researchers from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, UC Berkeley and Solidus Biosciences Inc. discovered a new method for testing toxic chemicals in makeup and drugs.
The group created two glass chips, or biochips, which resemble microscope slides. When pressed together, the DataChip, which exhibits human cell cultures, and the MetaChip, which acts as a human liver, mirror vital areas of a human body on which toxins may be tested.
Thus, ridding the need for live lab animals in testing facilities. Heroes, right?
After all, this new technology is definitely a logical step in the right direction, especially when a topic so debatable is free from livid arguments.
There's no need to continue murdering helpless animals for our own gain when more humane methods of testing are available.
This research is also actually backed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
"It focuses on one particular biological question, which is the major drawback in other types of non-animal based testing," said Kate Willett, a science policy adviser for P.E.T.A., in a phone interview. "They usually fail to include the issue of metabolism."
Willett said that researchers are beginning to address the problem of metabolism with this new method.
"I don't see any downside to this technology," Willett said. "It's an improvement over previous methods."
Willett also explained the technology not only reduces animal dependency, but is cheaper, faster and more precise - everything companies love.
However, a small but important issue arises within this semi-perfect plan. The companies investing into this research may try marketing ploys.
The clever advertising geniuses may devise ads stressing the fact that their company uses this new technology for testing, deceiving the public into believing new technology reared its wonderful head instead of admitting it could have been discovered earlier.
It's possible the corporations may convince the masses they have always viewed animals as equals in this biosphere.
The truth is the cosmetic companies in Europe are being forced to find alternative ways to test products because, according to the Rensselaer Web site, testing cosmetics on lab animals in Europe will likely be against the law by 2009.
These people are not changing their methods out of sheer desire. They're changing their methods because they're being pushed to do so.
What an ideal situation for corporations - forced to change, but still able to reap rewards.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Former director of graduate studies impact still felt through Fleckles fund
Published in the CSUF Daily Titan newspaper Feb. 7.
On May 2, 2005, Cal State Fullerton lost an integral limb from its academic body.
Less than a year later, the college experienced a punch to the stomach.
Ovarian cancer claimed the life of 60-year-old Gladys Fleckles on April 22, 2006.
The impact the former director of graduate studies made at CSUF before her retirement in 2005 solidified in Titan history.
Giles T. Brown, Dean of Graduate Studies, Emeritus, created the Fleckles fund and launched it during the 2003 and 2004 academic year to honor her 24 years of excellence and academic fervor at CSUF.
The fund is awarded once a year to a select number of graduate students who have prepared, or previously completed, a presentation for a professional conference anywhere in the world.
With a maximum budget of $7,000, the fund offers approved graduate students traveling within the U.S. $500. Any graduate students traveling internationally will receive $800.
"One of the outstanding qualities about Gladys was that she was passionate about friendships and I will always remember that about her," graduate studies specialist Pam Migliore said. "She was a long-standing member of Mariners Church, with a heart for missions; she traveled on missionary trips to Papua New Guinea and Egypt."
The fund usually elicits 15 to 30 applicants a year.
The application requests a brief summary regarding the project intended for presentation, a letter of acceptance or proof the student has presented previously, a faculty sponsor signature and a faculty evaluation form, which must be signed and sealed in an envelope.
"The fund advocates students getting involved in research. As long as they're graduate students, any program applies," graduate studies administrative support assistant Erinn Banks said.
The Graduate Education Committee reviews the packets and the winners are contacted by e-mail or phone within two or three weeks following the deadline.
The deadline for the 2007-2008 academic year is Friday, Feb. 8.
"We receive a variety of applications," Banks said. "Certain fields here lends itself to research. Psychology is a big one. Basically a lot of sciences."
Committee member and associate professor of elementary and bilingual education Pat Keig enjoys the variety of topics received, but admits that choosing or excluding candidates is a challenge.
"The author of the application should present the study in a direct and clear manner so that individuals without specialized knowledge of that field can comprehend it," Keig said. "The best applications we see reflect quality in the research."
The Fleckles fund expands beyond simply receiving travel money.
"Conferences, I think, both humanize the research process and contribute to our appreciation of the sometimes monumental individual efforts made in building our knowledge base," Keig said. "A university education is not just knowledge delivery, it's also professional socialization."
Christian von Pohle, a graduate psychology student is a candidate for this year's Fleckles fund.
"I heard about the Fleckles fund in an e-mail sent out by the psychology department to psychology graduate students after intercession break," von Pohle said. "After being informed of the [fund], I began writing a brief proposal explaining the principle components of our investigation."
Titled "Resemblance and Relatedness in Families with Twins: Implications for Human Cloning," von Pohle's presentation is geared toward inflating the scientific debate of individualism with additional perspective.
"I chose this project because monozygotic twins are natural clones," the 23-year-old said. "In studying [monozygotic] twins, we hope to bring a more scientific perspective into the debate of what establishes our individuality and influences our perceptions of uniqueness."
As a graduate assistant, von Pohle is aiding in collecting data for Professor Nancy Segal, the developmental psychology and director of the Twin Studies Center.
"If chosen, I would express my gratitude for her philanthropic spirit and the manner in which she has supported investigative students like myself, to share their findings with others. Opportunities such as this forever create a positive experience for the recipient," von Pohle would say if he had the chance to speak to Fleckles.
Fleckles may not be at CSUF anymore, but she continues to serve the campus community through her graduate studies fund.
On May 2, 2005, Cal State Fullerton lost an integral limb from its academic body.
Less than a year later, the college experienced a punch to the stomach.
Ovarian cancer claimed the life of 60-year-old Gladys Fleckles on April 22, 2006.
The impact the former director of graduate studies made at CSUF before her retirement in 2005 solidified in Titan history.
Giles T. Brown, Dean of Graduate Studies, Emeritus, created the Fleckles fund and launched it during the 2003 and 2004 academic year to honor her 24 years of excellence and academic fervor at CSUF.
The fund is awarded once a year to a select number of graduate students who have prepared, or previously completed, a presentation for a professional conference anywhere in the world.
With a maximum budget of $7,000, the fund offers approved graduate students traveling within the U.S. $500. Any graduate students traveling internationally will receive $800.
"One of the outstanding qualities about Gladys was that she was passionate about friendships and I will always remember that about her," graduate studies specialist Pam Migliore said. "She was a long-standing member of Mariners Church, with a heart for missions; she traveled on missionary trips to Papua New Guinea and Egypt."
The fund usually elicits 15 to 30 applicants a year.
The application requests a brief summary regarding the project intended for presentation, a letter of acceptance or proof the student has presented previously, a faculty sponsor signature and a faculty evaluation form, which must be signed and sealed in an envelope.
"The fund advocates students getting involved in research. As long as they're graduate students, any program applies," graduate studies administrative support assistant Erinn Banks said.
The Graduate Education Committee reviews the packets and the winners are contacted by e-mail or phone within two or three weeks following the deadline.
The deadline for the 2007-2008 academic year is Friday, Feb. 8.
"We receive a variety of applications," Banks said. "Certain fields here lends itself to research. Psychology is a big one. Basically a lot of sciences."
Committee member and associate professor of elementary and bilingual education Pat Keig enjoys the variety of topics received, but admits that choosing or excluding candidates is a challenge.
"The author of the application should present the study in a direct and clear manner so that individuals without specialized knowledge of that field can comprehend it," Keig said. "The best applications we see reflect quality in the research."
The Fleckles fund expands beyond simply receiving travel money.
"Conferences, I think, both humanize the research process and contribute to our appreciation of the sometimes monumental individual efforts made in building our knowledge base," Keig said. "A university education is not just knowledge delivery, it's also professional socialization."
Christian von Pohle, a graduate psychology student is a candidate for this year's Fleckles fund.
"I heard about the Fleckles fund in an e-mail sent out by the psychology department to psychology graduate students after intercession break," von Pohle said. "After being informed of the [fund], I began writing a brief proposal explaining the principle components of our investigation."
Titled "Resemblance and Relatedness in Families with Twins: Implications for Human Cloning," von Pohle's presentation is geared toward inflating the scientific debate of individualism with additional perspective.
"I chose this project because monozygotic twins are natural clones," the 23-year-old said. "In studying [monozygotic] twins, we hope to bring a more scientific perspective into the debate of what establishes our individuality and influences our perceptions of uniqueness."
As a graduate assistant, von Pohle is aiding in collecting data for Professor Nancy Segal, the developmental psychology and director of the Twin Studies Center.
"If chosen, I would express my gratitude for her philanthropic spirit and the manner in which she has supported investigative students like myself, to share their findings with others. Opportunities such as this forever create a positive experience for the recipient," von Pohle would say if he had the chance to speak to Fleckles.
Fleckles may not be at CSUF anymore, but she continues to serve the campus community through her graduate studies fund.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Mitt Romney photo
Published in the CSUF Daily Titan newspaper Feb. 5.
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney rallied supporters Monday night at the Daugherty Skyharbor in Long Beach.
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