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Video

Campus Master Plan reveals long-term goals

Fresno State’s Master Plan is a set of 10- and 20-year goals for the renovation and beautification of the campus. The work on the Henry Madden Library marks the beginning of the Master Plan.

Video courtesy of Campus Master Plan committee

Galleries

Picture Perfect

The Collegian staff reminisces about their favorite photos.

Blog

Finals Cram Jam

Monday through Thursday Mornings
May 12-15, 2008
8 am – Free Speech Platform
Free Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate, Fresh Fruit
Scantrons and Pencils (While supplies last)

Sunday
May 11, 2008
Calm Before the Storm
University Courtyard Atrium
8 pm – Midnight
Free movie, Stress Free Zone,
Free Food: Nachos and Popcorn

Monday
May 12, 2008
Crunch Time

Lawn in front of the Bookstore
11 am – 3 pm – Roxy Follow Your Heart Tour
Make t-shirts, flip flops and more!

Student Union Lounge
7 pm-1 am – Stress Free Zone
Free Food – Milk & Cereal, Coffee, Tea,
Hot Chocolate & Fresh Fruit (While supplies last)

Tuesday
May 13, 2008
Hype Up Your Night

Lawn in front of the Bookstore
10 am – 2 pm – Inflatable Games and Crafts

Student Union Lounge
7 pm-1 am – Stress Free Zone
Free Food – Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, Candy, and Fresh Fruit
(While supplies last)

Wednesday
May 14, 2008
TGI Almost Over

Free Speech Platform
11 am – 2 pm – Scavenger Hunt
Chance to win movie tickets, Juice it up! Gift Card, bowling & billiard passes and more!

Student Union Lounge
7 pm-1 am – Stress Free Zone
9 pm – Free Food – Pizza and Fresh Fruit (While supplies last)

* Stress Free Zone will include:
Games, Puzzles, Giveaways, Exercise Balls
Relaxation Strategies, Sleeping Tips, Study and Test Taking Tips,
and More!

Sponsored by:

Vice President of Student Affairs, USU Productions, Associated Students, Inc., USU Board of Directors, University Student Union, Student Activities and Leadership Development Office, Learning Center, University Health and Psychological Services, University Courtyard, University Dining Services, Student Recreation Center, University Police Department,
Office of Traffic Safety

Interactive

The Collegian reports on how alcohol affects student life. This collection of articles from past issues covers such aspects as the stadium's alcohol ban, faculty alcohol pledges and alcohol education.

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A series run in Fall 2007, these articles cover that most important aspect of student life: Eating. Restaurant reviews, game day food, an interactive dining guide, a video with tips for healthy eating and more give students the scoop about eating on and around campus.

News

‘It’s a difficult decision’

The 2007-2008 school year was a tumultuous one for University President John D. Welty. It started with a string of multi-million dollar verdicts in various athletics department lawsuits that had many calling for Welty’s resignation. It ends with Welty’s decision to increase the IRA fee after weeks of student debate. The Collegian sat down with Welty to discuss why he made this decision, and what he thinks this year has meant.

Lui: How do you plan on making your decision regarding the IRA fee increase?

Welty: I have spent considerable time reviewing both the IRA requests that have come in for various academic activities and projects and looking at several years now where there’s not been sufficient revenue to fund those projects. And also, with regards to athletics I reviewed thoroughly the commission on athletic financing report that was issued earlier this year …

Then, in addition to that, I reviewed some of the long-term projections for the athletic budget, so this is a tremendous amount of data and really multi-year points that need to be reviewed as we make that decision.

L: Why did you decide to make that decision?

W: Some of the club projects that couldn’t be funded because … requests for funds are almost four times as great as the dollars that are available from that part of the budget. With regard to athletics, it’s clear that … most [mid-size Division I programs] depend upon a significant student fee in order to operate. With the increase of $32 for athletics in our case it still will be well below the average fee that comparable institutions charge.

L: What would you say to students who say that a majority of students voted down the increase in the referendum?

W: I think that, first of all, it’s important that I don’t take the issue of raising student fees lightly. It’s a difficult decision.

I weighed certainly the advice that ASI provided. They endorsed it after reviewing thoroughly the referendum which unfortunately was … a very small number of students actually voting on that issue, and the student fee committee, which reviewed the issue I think in-depth after hearing various points of view from that if we are going to continue to have academic programs such as the music, the arts, theatre, athletics we are going to have to have additional student fee revenue.

L: What about the fee increases in light of the California budget cuts?

W: As you know, the state faces severe fiscal issues and in fact, our [board of trustees] next week will consider a possible fee increase and part of the steps to deal with the budget issues. Again, it’s an issue of, if you look at what students pay at comparable public universities across the country, California’s well below those fees.

At the same time, any fee increases is a very difficult step to take for anyone and I think what our board is trying to do is make sure we continue to provide the classes, quality educational experience for students.

L: Do you know how much the fee increase would be that they’re looking at?

W: The proposal is a 10 percent fee increase.

L: Is the school doing anything to try and fight the budget cuts?

W: Yes, I and many others have spent several hours both meeting with legislators locally and in Sacramento, writing letters, making it clear that the state needs to give higher education priority and although the decisions have not yet been made on the budget, I’m hopeful that priority will be recognized by the legislature and the governor.

L: Looking ahead, what are you looking forward to about the fall semester?

W: Next year I think promises to be an exciting year. We will open our new library next year, which I think will be a tremendous addition for students and faculty and the campus. I’ve had an opportunity to get a sneak tour and it’s clear that that facility is going to provide the most up to date library facilities to students and the largest library in your system.

L: What do you think the addition of Campus Pointe will mean for students?

W: I think first of all it will provide for those who want housing near the campus, another housing option for students … In addition to that, there’ll be some commercial activity there like grocery stores and other kinds of retail outlets that’ll make it convenient for students to get access.

There’ll be a theater there that again provides recreational opportunity. In addition to that, when the complex is done there will be additional student internship opportunities and we’re in the process of developing a program in hospitality management so students will be able to intern at the hotel.

We’re also talking to a bank about possibly creating a student bank so students would actually be able to get a complete bank … actually run a bank in that facility and get that experience. And then of course there’ll be lots of new jobs that’ll be open for students. I think it’ll be a place where students will spend a lot of time doing a variety of things.

L: What are your thoughts about the past school year?

W: This has been a difficult and painful year, particularly as it relates to court issues that we faced in the athletics program. I regret that we had those issues and I think we have taken steps to address them and under new leadership in athletics with Thomas Boeh and senior associate Betsy Mosher. I think there’s been some tremendous strides made to strengthen our program and to address issues that have been identified in the past.

However, I think some of those cases have also overshadowed some other very significant things that have happened on campus. Our new independent doctoral program was begun. Our new joint program of physical therapy will graduate its first students.

We also had numerous students do some incredible things. Craig School students have won recent awards … the MBA students have competed and won a national contest. We’ve had other students … a student who won an entrepreneurship awards … who actually established her own business named Stephanie Reilly and she’s an incredible example of what students can do when given the opportunity.

The Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning has been funded so that really assures for us a national leadership role in providing service learning and community engagement opportunities for students.

The gift that we received to expand the farm market will again be another tremendous addition to the campus to serve all students and faculty.

L: Do you see yourself retiring anytime soon?

W: I don’t really see that in the immediate horizon, no. There’s a lot to be done and I want to make sure that we complete implementation of our plan for excellence … We have some excellent people here who are working very hard and I plan to continue to provide some support to them as I can.

Sports

Bulldogs heading for pro ranks

Four former Fresno State Bulldogs will be trying to make an impact in professional football this fall.

Marcus Riley was not selected in April’s NFL draft, but the former Bulldog linebacker will still get his chance to play on Sundays.

Only minutes after the final selection of the draft, he agreed to sign a free agent contract with the Green Bay Packers. Riley did not expect to be drafted and feels like he will have more to prove going into his first NFL training camp as a free agent.

“I knew I was going to have a chip on my shoulder,” Riley said. “I feel like I have been underrated my whole career.”

Even though no NFL teams drafted him, there was still plenty of interest in Riley. Green Bay, along with Oakland, St. Louis and Chicago all called with interest shortly after the seventh round of selections.

Riley said he chose to sign with the Packers for many reasons, including the fact that the team did not draft a linebacker. He will also fit well into the Packers’ four linemen, three linebacker defensive scheme.

“I feel that out of those four teams that did contact me, the Packers were the best fit and I made the best decision,” Riley said.

Riley was able to prove his worth during his senior season with the Bulldogs. The weak-side linebacker was the leader of the defense and caused havoc for opposing offenses, while racking up 132 tackles and forcing four turnovers.

Now Riley will move on to the NFL, where he will likely contribute on special teams, as well as situation defensive schemes while he works towards becoming a starting linebacker.

“I feel like I was good enough to be drafted and not being drafted is going to keep me hungry for the future,” Riley said.

Riley left for Green Bay on May 1 and will be working out at mini-camps with the team. He will be competing for a spot on the Packers’ final 53-man roster and nothing is guaranteed.

Even though so much is riding on the next few months of practice, Riley is not nervous. He described himself as “excited and confident.”

Former Bulldog offensive linemen Ryan Wendell agreed to a free agent contract with the New England Patriots. Wendell, a four-year starter with the Bulldogs, signed the deal with the AFC Champion Patriots shortly following the seventh round of selections on draft weekend.

Wendell was a standout during his career with the ‘Dogs. He was a 2007 First Team All-WAC selection and started at multiple positions on the offensive line.

In his first year with the program, Wendell was selected to the First Team Freshman All-American team and was awarded Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Freshman of the Year honors.

Now Wendell will join three other former Bulldogs in New England. Offensive guard Logan Mankins, safety James Sanders and tight end Stephen Spach are all currently playing for the team.

The Patriots organization has a history of signing former Bulldogs. Pat Hill and Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick worked together for the Cleveland Browns before Hill came to Fresno.

Three other Bulldogs did not sign during draft weekend, but were still able to land with professional teams following the draft.

Clifton Smith, the Bulldogs tailback and punt return specialist in 2007, was offered a spot on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ mini-camp roster.

Smith, who was not sure if he was going to land in a NFL camp or on Canadian Football League (CFL) team before the draft, was ecstatic to hear from Tampa Bay.

Smith’s best chance to make an NFL team will be to specialize as a third down tailback and a kick returner. He was electric during his time in Fresno and will try to bring that same home run ability to the NFL.

One more former Bulldog will get his chance to play in the NFL. Cornerback Damon Jenkins will be working out with the Cleveland Browns, trying to make the team’s final roster.

Jenkins was responsible for 49 tackles and nine pass breakups while starting 12 games for the Bulldogs last season.

Tyler Clutts, a First Team All-WAC selection, will be playing professional football next year, but not in the NFL. The defensive end inked a contract with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL.

The CFL may end up being a better fit for Clutts. While he has always had a strong work ethic, he is undersized to play defensive end in the NFL.

In Canada, he will be at his natural position and have the chance to continue working towards the NFL.

The 2007-2008 graduating class will join the already 18 former Bulldogs currently playing in the NFL.

Features

An affordable alternative

To see this story’s related video blog, click here.

By Jimmy Graben / The Collegian

An environment saver. A ride home. The anti-gas guzzler.

These are just a few of the ways that someone could describe the Fresno Area Express (FAX), Fresno’s large-scale public transportation system.

FAX has a repertoire of more than 100 buses to serve the greater metropolitan area of Fresno, including 20 fixed-route bus lines. The buses travel as far north as Woodward Park and can travel all the way down to Malaga Community Center south of Fresno.

Several of theses buses serve the Fresno State community on a daily basis. At least one bus comes by campus every 15 minutes. The bus stops are easily identifiable with the blue awning and red benches that signify where patrons must wait to get a ride.

Many members of the campus community have utilized the FAX by purchasing bus passes at the University Student Union. According to University Operations Services, 675 students have bought one-way bus passes since August 2007. Additionally, 302 students have purchased monthly convenience passes for FAX.

With four routes in operation around campus, riders have the ability to utilize not just FAX, but the Clovis Transit Stageline, which is an alternative bus system for patrons who live in Clovis.

Riders who have utilized Fresno’s public transportation system said that it is more than just a bus system.

The FAX provides an alternative way of getting around for people who can’t afford a car or the escalating gas prices.

Riders from all over the Fresno State community found different perks to using the FAX and have identified the pros and cons of public transportation in Fresno.

By Heather Billings / The Collegian

Fawna Martinez sits on the threadbare blue cushion whose padding has all but worn through, her purse in the seat next to her.

“Sometimes the air conditioner doesn’t always work,” she said. “One summer, it was so crowded and hot that I stuck my purse next me and said, ‘No one’s sitting next to me.’”

Martinez, who works as a waitress at the Vintage Room restaurant and has been riding the bus for five years, doesn’t have many complaints about the Fresno Area Express system.

“I really can’t complain because it gets me where I need to go,” she said. “I’m usually the one that’s late, not the bus.”

Once she saves up for a car, Martinez said there’s not a doubt that she will be driving her own vehicle. She said she is looking forward to not being stuck on the bus for up to two-and-a-half-hours a day.

In addition to the convenience of being able to drive herself, she said she will buy a car because she doesn’t believe that riding the bus is more environmentally friendly than driving a car.

“If more people rode the bus, they’d have to run more buses, and the smoke from that would pollute our air more than it is already,” she said.

The 19-year-old mother said she is continually amazed by the diversity of riders on the bus.

“You get all ages, from senior citizens to kids as young as elementary school. I do have two kids and so when I see kids that young on the bus I’m kind of shocked.”

Martinez said that when she started her job at Fresno State, it was difficult for her to adjust to not being around for her 3-year-old son and 6-month-old daughter.

“Going home is my favorite part of the day,” she said.

By Sandra Sedano / The Collegian

Without the Fresno Area Express (FAX), Glenn Turner would not have a girlfriend — at least not one within walking distance.

“I can’t talk to you no more; I can’t go see you anymore; you live too far,” said Turner, as he pictured what might happen between he and his girlfriend if there were no buses.

The 20-year-old Fresno State student counts on public transportation as his sole means of getting around. He rides at least two buses daily, since it is the only way he can get to work, home, school — and his girlfriend’s house.

Sometimes, one bus will be enough to take him where he needs to be. But when one bus is not enough, he has one hour to get on a second or a third bus, with only one dollar.

“You put your money in the machine and you need a transfer,” Turner said. “It is good for up to one hour, but usually when you need to take another bus you don’t need to wait that long unless you have to walk really far for the other bus’ stop.”

He is familiar with FAX’s black, metal benches, which sit under a small roof to protect bus riders from harsh weather. Every day, Turner sits on them and waits anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour to get on the No. 9 or the No. 45 bus.

The No. 9 picks him up on Shaw Avenue right in front of Fresno State and leaves him on Fruit Ave., where he can walk to his girlfriend’s house. The No. 45, he uses to get to and from work.

Like many other people, Turner would like to have a car. If he had one, he said that he would find a way to use it, but with gas hitting the $4 mark in the Fresno area, it is no wonder Turner opts for riding the bus.
“It’s convenient for students to pay $1 and get to where you need to be,” he said.

Although Turner rides the bus every day, he does not have a bus pass.

“This is only temporary until I get a car,” he said. “I was already saving for one but even if I bought it, gas is so expensive that I don’t think I could do it. I’ll just wait.”

By Jimmy Graben / The Collegian

Freshman Eden Davis is like most students at Fresno State.

She gets up for her 8 a.m. class every day from a long night of studying. But instead of going into a car and turning the keys in the ignition, she takes a walk to the corner of First and Nees avenues, where the No. 38 Fresno Area Express (FAX) bus picks her up at 7:30 a.m.

“It really sucks when I get up late,” Davis said. “There’s nothing worse than watching the bus turn around the corner and you’re like, ‘NO!’”

On the days that Davis does make it to the stop on time she brings along her bike for the 15-minute ride to Fresno State from Riverpark. There are four stops along the way school on the No. 38. Every time she sees a random blue awning with red benches she knows the bus is coming to a stop.

“It’s tolerable,” Davis said. “It’s a lot easier now that I’m used to it.”

Davis has had a lot of practice in the realm of public transportation.

She grew up in New York City, where using the bus system is a little more complicated than here in the Central Valley.

“The buses in New York are hectic,” Davis said. “Here it’s easier to get around and you always have somewhere to put your bike.”

Davis gives new meaning to the phrase going green.

Not only does she ride the bus to Fresno State every day and all over town, she rides her bike once she gets off the bus.

She believes that public transportation is a great way to help with pollution in the environment.

“It’s like a giant carpool pretty much,” Davis said. “If four people ride the bus then it’s like four cars off the road. If four people ride every bus in Fresno, then that’s like 400 people off the road so there’s lots of benefits to it.”

By Sandra Sedano / The Collegian

Gas prices are not the reason a local high school student rides the bus every day. Neither is the lack of license.

It is the importance of learning independence — and also Fresno geography.

Like many students, Kimberly Cordova will ask for rides from her parents to get around. She is one of the fortunate ones who always get a yes.

But with that yes also comes a bus pass.

“My dad is a bus driver and sometimes I get to ride with him on the same bus,” Cordova said. “He said I can’t get a car until I learn my way around Fresno.

She does not stick to one route only. She goes everywhere.

“Sometimes I have to get across town and it could take me up to an hour,” she said. “I will either talk to my friends if they are with me, and if they are not I’ll just sit there.”

The buses clearly state on several signs no eating, disturbing others or listening to audio devices. But Cordova assures that the warning only applies to severe cases.

“The bus drivers are usually really nice and helpful,” she said. “They don’t say anything if you are listening to your iPod or eating a bag of chips. But if you spill them all over the floor, that is when they have a problem.”

When the time to exit the bus arrives, Cordova signals the bus driver by pulling a cord over her head that lights up an LCD screen near the driver. It reads: Stop Requested.

As she is pulling the cord, Cordova stands up, looks out the window and tells her seatmates, “That was our transfer,” pointing at a bus across the street already about to turn.

She hurries off the bus as soon as it stops and runs toward the other bus, waving her arms at the new driver while the bus waits for them at a light.

Opinion

Baxter says goodbye (for now)

I ALREADY KNOW I WANT TO STICK AROUND Fresno State; great things are afoot here. Once I realized how much Fresno State had grown on me over the last few years, I realized also that I don’t want to leave. Graduate school has never seemed so far away, or so certain.

But with the semester nearly over, this sentiment is too little and too late — the fierce urgency of inertia propels me forward. Fellow Fresno State students: Finality is upon us.

Once Prof. Kathryn Biacindo’s CI 285 class gets out 10 minutes before the lively hour of 10 p.m., our instructional year is officially over. Most of you readers will return to Fresno State’s uncomfortable left-handed desks this August, and a hypothetically luckier few move on next week. I sure don’t feel lucky.

Other graduates must feel some twinge of satisfaction from getting their degree, and have some burning desire to leave Fresno once and for all. I envy them, because I don’t feel that way. I wish I did, because it would make leaving Fresno once and for all that much easier.

Though it’s easy to discredit Fresno State as a diploma mill for society’s lowest common denominator, it’s just as easy to get attached to the often-horrible bands in The Pit, the flavors of our Student Union, that leathery texture of Fresno air and the choking sounds that accompany all three.

Blame it on preemptive nostalgia, but I already think there’s plenty to get excited about. There’s that almost-done library of ours — non-bibliophiles will at least appreciate the end of major construction in the middle of campus — and both our football team and their Rutgers-tastic schedule looks pretty good. Message to Ryan Mathews: Screw up, and everyone will hate you, including the estimated 5,000 members of a local, vicious street gang named after your team. No pressure.

On those basic levels, I can say with a straight face that things are looking up for Fresno State. I can also say that we should be looking up higher.

In the next few years, today’s freshmen, sophomores and juniors could work towards making a name for Fresno State as more than the local school. My challenge: help make Fresno State a haven for academia.

It won’t be easy, but it needs to be done. It’s telling when The Fresno Bee’s albeit-long-ago-published profiles of Fresno State’s most popular classes included sex-ed and a certain Drama 62 section whose professor would give out test answers in advance. Embarrassing.

Funnily enough, a humanities course on the legacy of ancient Greek and Roman cultures rounded out this triumvirate. I’m betting that Fresno’s slacker vote had nothing to do with this nomination. Taught by the always-excellent Honora Chapman — if she ever teaches second-semester Latin, I will sign up for it twice — that course apparently remained an interesting and engaging class without skimping on rigor or content. It validates my one of my favorite touchstones: Fresno State students don’t need to be pandered to.

Fresno State students: these years are your opportunity to galvanize yourself and your work ethic. If you have trouble mounting this yourself, I immediately recall two former professors who can help.

Dr. Gary Rice taught me what I know of writing, and Dr. Gary Gilroy taught me the merits of anal-retentive attention to detail. Both also modeled dedication into the candlelit hours of o’-dark hundred; each had a work ethic up the wazoo; both kept up to their achievable, unerringly high standards.

This is not without precedent. When Bulldogs succeed on the gridiron, in the pitcher’s circle or during stoppage time, it is because of that work ethic.

When musicians blow the minds of one-and-a-half thousand high school students in Bulldog Stadium one Saturday night in October, it is because of that attention to detail. When Fresno State journalists win high honors in the Gruner Awards, what Dr. Rice called “the Pulitzer of the Central Valley,” it is because of those high standards.

That I can, off the top of my head, name two professors named Gary who model this work ethic, this attention to detail and such high standards, I’m certain that there are dozens of professors not named Gary who are just as ready and capable to mentor you.

Decades of wizened insight are already here at Fresno State in each of our professors, and they are all ready to be harnessed. Fresno State students: Harness it.

Even as I type that, I know that I ask too much. Fresno State, despite the hopes of Dr. John Welty and the efforts of Pat Hill, probably won’t amount to more than a convenient diploma outlet for all those second-best graduates of Fresno Unified, the laziest graduates of Clovis Unified and the on-paper eminently qualified Smittcamp scholars.

There’s a possibility, however slim, that Fresno State could be one of the many great California schools rather than just one of the many California schools.

Give yourself the time, the effort and a few sober weekends here and there, and the right professors can help you the rest of the way.

Keep that left-handed desk warm for me until next spring, when I hope to return. Even if I don’t, I ask that you help me turn a new, more auspicious page for our Alma Mater.

My cynical side tells me even asking overworked and apathetic Fresno State students to aspire to greatness is an exercise in folly. I sure hope it isn’t.