Issue date: 1/7/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Claire Padgett [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Jason Finley [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Jason Finley [Click to enlarge]

Campus, city unite, sign memorandum

For the first time in Sacramento State history the mayor of Sacramento and members of the city manager's office were present at the president's annual fall address on Aug. 28.

While President Alexander Gonzalez addressed issues such as development and the budget, he also signed a memorandum with then-mayor Heather Fargo to promote cooperation between the university and city.

Gonzalez said 80 percent of students stay local after graduation and contribute to the economy. He said it only made sense that the city and university join forces to facilitate learning and supply research opportunities.

"One of the main things we are going to be looking at is our economic development activity …in terms of what kinds of workforce development we need and what training we need at the university," Fargo said.

The city and university already work together extensively; the memorandum encourages and formalizes the relationship.

Fargo said the city hopes to work with the university regarding residential housing close to campus for students and more public transportation options for students.

"Part of what I'm trying to do is be able to tell we have students in town. If you are on campus you know, but once you get off you don't get a university feel," Fargo said.



Tekle Case Under Way

The second pretrial hearing of a man arrested in connection to the fatal shooting of a Sacramento State student took place Sept. 5 at the Sacramento County Superior Courthouse.

A stray bullet hit sophomore journalism student Kebret Tekle on May 3, 2007, as she sat in her car in the parking lot of the Library Eats and Drinks bar on Folsom Boulevard behind the Sac State campus. She died later that day from her wounds.

The shooting was the result of an alleged gang fight that began inside the bar and spilled out into the parking lot.

David Allen Falls, 23, of Sacramento was arrested in connection with the shooting and charged with one felony count of homicide later that month. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge. Falls, if convicted, could face 50 years to life for homicide using a gun.

After her death, Tekle's organs were donated and helped save the lives of four people. Tekle had arranged to be an organ donor before she was shot. Sebhatu said this gesture helped demonstrate his daughter's involvement in the community and passion for people.

On campus, Tekle, 20, was a member of the Eta Lamda chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and committee chair for the National PanHellenic Council.

The Library Eats and Drinks closed down in August 2007 after losing its liquor license.



Buy a virgin

A hurricane of media coverage swirled around a Sac State graduate who was auctioning off her virginity.

The 22-year-old, who is using the pseudonym Natalie Dylan for safety reasons, announced the decision to sell her v-card on the Howard Stern radio show on Sept. 9.

"We live in a capitalist society," Dylan said on the show. "Why shouldn't I be allowed to capitalize on my virginity?"

Dennis Hof, owner of the Nevada brothel Moonlite Bunny Ranch, brought Dylan to Stern's attention. Dylan approached Hof with her sister, Avia, who worked at Hof's ranch for three weeks two years ago.

"I've seen a lot of crazy things, but this is very unique," Hof said in a phone interview.

Hof said that Dylan had already passed a polygraph test verifying the authenticity of her chastity, but added that she is also willing to submit to a physical examination.

The auction will be conducted through and consummated at the Bunny Ranch, Hof said. Hof stands to receive 50 percent of the winning bid, but was uncertain how much the

auction would pull in.

"I don't have any idea, but it's gonna be a bunch," Hof said. "Maybe you should get the school-get everybody to kick in (some money) and send the homecoming king down here."



Lives saved, lost

On Sept. 11, five Sacramento State ROTC cadets were awarded for their efforts and bravery.

The cadets were at the Feather River outside of Nicolaus, Calif., on Aug. 30, when they rescued Rebecca Lita, 16, from drowning. While they were able to save her, they were not able to save her brother, Alexcsandru "Alex" Lita, 25, who was also attempting to rescue his sister.

Leon Adams, Emmanuel Batara, Richard Casavecchia, Jeremiah Jones and Sean Peloquin were awarded Commander's Coins from Col. Scott Donaldson, brigade commander for the Army ROTC Western Region.

They were also nominated for a national award, the ROTC Medal for Heroism, by their battalion commander, Lt. Col. Aaron Metz.

Batara said there are a lot of misconceptions about the ROTC training cadets receive.

"People think we are just trained to kill people," he said. "But here, just over a casual weekend, we were able to use our ROTC training to save a life."



Science II Building Put on Hold

The long-awaited Science II building project will have to wait a little longer. Proposed budget cuts and a lack of funding stalled the project, which was scheduled to be completed in 2010.

Ronald Richardson, facilities manager at Sacramento State, said funding for the project through general obligation bond measures will not be on the ballot in 2008-09. General obligation bonds are the most common bond measure used by California State University campuses for funding new construction.

Without these funds, the architectural firm selected last year can't begin the design process. The earliest date new funding from the state could come is 2010.

Clara Potes-Fellow, spokesperson for the CSU Chancellor's Office, said no progress has been made toward gaining funding for the Science II project.

"When something does happen, it will be with state legislation," Potes-Fellow said. "The chancellor is looking for any opportunity to get funding."

One option that is being explored by the Chancellor's Office is leased revenue bonds. These bonds are repaid through income generated by the building. This is similar to the method used to obtain funds for the new residence halls and construction of the new bookstore.

While these funds are still intact, Richardson said the remaining funds from the general obligation bond in 2006, which were being saved for the Science II project, have been spent.

The earliest date construction of the Science II classrooms and labs can be completed would be fall 2012, Richardson said.

"We have to assume Science II is going to be built, because if we are not ready, we will lose out when funding is available," Richardson said. "We will be in a better position after taking a closer look at the project."



CSU spared budget cuts

The California State University system was spared from cuts in the record-late budget signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sept. 23, and will receive the same funding from the state as last year.

The budget provides $2.79 billion for the CSU this fiscal year.

Schwarzenegger initially proposed more than $300 million in cuts to the CSU system in January 2008.

Joseph Sheley, Sac State provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said Sac State is in better shape than some other schools.

"We do what other universities do for about two-thirds the money," Sheley said. "We are very lean, therefore we are very vulnerable. We are running right on the margin."

Kevin Wehr, associate professor of sociology and the vice president of the Sac State chapter of the California Teachers Association, said this has a detrimental effect on students and faculty.

"Faculty working conditions and student learning conditions are two sides of the same coin," Wehr said. "Larger classes mean more work for faculty and less personal instruction for students."



One Book program promotes literacy

Sac State's One Book program brought the campus community together by integrating a single book, Firoozeh Dumas' "Funny in Farsi, A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America", into the curriculum for the semester.

Sheila Macias, the administrative director for the Community Engagement Center at Sac State, said they looked at three different books and after consulting with other schools, Dumas' book was picked for the One Book program. Macias said the book was chosen because it explores diversity. Meyer said she thought the book was well written and would appeal to a wide audience.

Macias said the One Book program is designed to promote literacy and offers students, and community members alike, the opportunity to share in a reading experience.

Sheree Meyer, faculty coordinator for Sac State's One Book program and chair of the English department, said the feedback coming in from staff is that the book is circulating not only on campus, but also among family members. Meyer met some parents at freshman orientation where she discussed the One Book program. Meyer said the faculty was encouraged to try the One Book program and include activities around it. To do this they were given a number of small faculty grants.

"In particular, part of the grant was to fund a gift of the One Book to all entering first year students," Meyer said. "So every first-year student that attended orientation got a copy of the book."



Students test candidates at debate

Kevin Johnson and Heather Fargo shared their visions for the future of Sacramento at a mayoral debate hosted by Sac State on Oct. 6.

The audience, primarily Sac State students, came prepared with questions for the candidates to answer during the debate. The moderators, KCRA 3's Pamela Wu and Walt Gray and KXJZ 90.9 FM's Jeffrey Callison, called on the students to pose questions.

The debate was often contentious and feisty, both candidates trading barbs at times with each other.

In discussing Fargo's travels around the country, Johnson accused her of spending taxpayer money while not bringing back any significant lessons or plans for Sacramento. Fargo responded by saying Johnson's legal situations make the city's problems "look mild."

At the post-debate conference, Johnson and Fargo's personal attacks dominated the conversation with reporters. Johnson pointed out Fargo's lack of leadership skills and oversight in regard to missing water meters and a financial scandal at the public library. Fargo fired back with Johnson's alleged sexual misconduct with minors in Phoenix and Sacramento.

"I don't understand how Kevin has the gall to question me given what he's up against," she said. "The man has got some real problems with reality."

Sac State President Alexander Gonzalez declared the campus the ultimate winner of the debate, citing the candidates' openness to the students and their understanding of student related issues.



A promising life cut short

A comfortable couch, a big screen plasma television with today's NASCAR race on, a dog eagerly waiting to supply big, wet kisses, the smell of Burger King and two grandmothers awaiting you with open arms.

It may not sound like everyone's heaven, but those who knew her best are sure this is where Jamie Austin Gonzales is today.

After a short battle with cancer she passed away on Oct. 14. Gonzales was a student at Sacramento State from 2004 to 2007. She worked for The State Hornet as both an editor and writer for more than five semesters. Gonzales was diagnosed with cancer this past spring and celebrated her 25th birthday in May. Close friends say her spirit was never weakened.

Following her graduation from Sac State, Gonzales began working as a reporter for The Elk Grove Citizen newspaper in January 2008. While there she covered the city politics beat, focusing on the Elk Grove City Council and other city agencies. Gonzales worked for the Citizen until Monday, Oct. 6, just one week before she passed away.

Gonzales is survived by her uncles Lee and Scott Rabé, aunts Stephanie and Dawn Rabé, cousins Kyle, Lacie, Conner and Megan Rabé, as well as her fiancé James Carey.

A private memorial service was held for Gonzales on Nov. 8 for family and close friends.



Parking fees to increase

On Oct. 24, University Transportation and Parking Services announced that students, faculty and staff will have to pay higher parking fees for the spring 2009 semester.

Student parking permits will rise from $24 per month to $34 per month, which will raise the semester parking permit to $153 in spring 2009. The increase is to keep in check with rising costs.

This was the second parking fee increase since January 2007 when the daily parking permit increased from $2.75 to $5. However, this will be the first monthly parking permit fee increase since fall 2003.

Prior to fall 2003, student parking permits cost $85.50 and were raised by 26 percent to the current $108 rate.

"We have put off increasing fees for as long as we could," said University Transportation and Parking Services director Nancy Fox.



Sun set to power campus

Solar power panels will soon grace the roofs of Sac State buildings. In an agreement with the CSU, energy company SunEdison is installing solar panels on 15 campuses throughout the system.

The solar panels are expected to generate eight megawatts of energy system-wide, about five percent of the energy used by the CSU system.

The agreement with SunEdison will bring solar power to two-thirds of the CSU campuses and the Chancellor's Office.

SunEdison will install, own, and maintain the solar panels. The energy created will then be sold to Sac State at reduced cost. Installations of the zero-emission solar panels carry no out-of-pocket expenses for the CSU system.

Charles Reed, chancellor for the CSU, was active in getting the agreement worked out with SunEdison.



CSU faces mid-year cuts

Newly proposed mid-year cuts to the state budget could mean less funding to the CSU system, as the slumping economy takes its toll on state tax revenues.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the proposed cuts Nov. 6 and wants the Legislature to vote on them in its special session that is currently under way.

The governor proposed cutting an additional $66.3 million from the CSU budget, which he said needs to be done mid-year because the current budget assumed the state would take in more tax revenue than it currently is. To cover this shortfall, campuses could be forced to restrict enrollment, raise student fees, offer less classes and hire more part-time faculty.

Last year, 10,000 eligible students were turned away from the CSU system when the application deadlines were moved up as a response to proposed budget cuts.



Hornets defeat UCD at Classic

The 55th Annual Causeway Classic on Nov. 8 at the new Aggies Stadium at UC Davis was a major turning point for the Hornets. For the first time since 1999, the Hornets defeated the Aggies 29 to 19.

"It hasn't been much of a rivalry (in the past) because we haven't won. After today we stirred it up and now it's a rivalry again. We woke them up and showed them who we are," said Head Coach Marshall Sperbeck.

The Hornets played through 63-degree weather and more than half of the fans rooting for UC Davis to win.



State, church rights at the heart of rallies

As Sac State professor David Rolloff entered Capitol Park on Nov. 9, he was angry and his voice was raspy from shouting at the daily protests he attended that were against the passage of Proposition 8, the measure banning same-sex marriage in the state.

Only 14 words, Proposition 8 amends the state's Constitution to read, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

Neil Wilson, a Proposition 8 supporter and one of only two counter-protestors at the Nov. 9 rally in Sacramento, said as a black man, he doesn't believe that same-sex marriage is a civil rights issue.

Sally King can be reached at sking@statehornet.com

Sam Pearson can be reached at spearson@statehornet.com

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools