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PHOTO: Spring Football

On Saturday, April 28 at Bulldog Stadium the Fresno State Football team held a scrimmage between the offense and the defense.   Click here to view a photo slideshow of the day’s events.

Finding a place to junk “old-school” electronics

Does an ice machine qualify as electronic waste? How about a toaster? These questions sometimes left Alexander Moreno stumped as he stood with four co-workers in Parking Lot C, located near the Smittcamp Alumni House, Saturday morning.

Though the day was pretty slow, Moreno and his colleagues kept busy answering questions and unloading everything from computer monitors to old fax machines — right into the Fresno State parking lot.

The five helped with the university-sponsored Electronic Waste Drop-off Event, and even after eight similar events held on campus since January 2006, the workers were surprised at the questions they were asked.

“A toaster oven is not electronic,�? said Moreno, a temporary worker. “They think [we’re accepting] basic waste, but it has got to have something electronic that has a brain.�?

Other out-of-place items included an old ice machine, vacuum cleaners and various household appliances.

Misunderstandings stem from a state law passed in February 2006 forbidding households to trash electronic items that contain materials that can be hazardous if not disposed of properly.

To give the community an affordable and easy place to get rid of the waste, the university’s Environmental Health and Safety department partnered with Electronic Recyclers International.

Since then, the campus e-waste events have collected more than 230,000 pounds of junk.

Lisa Kao, the department’s Environmental Quality Manager, put that number into perspective.

“A computer tower is usually only 25 to 30 pounds,�? Kao said.

The collected waste so far doesn’t include Saturday’s results, which will not be available until later this week.

Kao estimated that fewer than 100 people came to the most recent event, which ran from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It was a slow day compared to past events, including the March 24 date that saw twice as many people participate.

The relatively low turnout may have had more to do with another environmental event being held at the same time, rather than a diminishing need.

Saturday was Earth Day, and the occasion was being celebrated in downtown Fresno. Another drop-off
location for electronic waste downtown was part of that celebration.

Despite the slow day, temporary worker Ray Gonzalez said events like this would always be needed.

“Buy something new, throw something old away,�? Gonzalez said. “[People are always] replacing it with new stuff.�?

Some people arrived with a whole car full of e-waste.

Jocelyn Ward opened her trunk to reveal 232 lbs. worth of printers, computers and more.

Ward said she had seen the news of the event on the Internet and thought that it was the perfect solution to her problem.

“[My office] was looking to get rid of our e-waste,�? Ward said. “We got new computers.�?

Some worried that information might “leak out�? from their computers.

“You don’t know what’s on there,�? said Debbie Crawford, a Fresno State alumna.

Crawford said she thought there was not any personal information left on it, but that it’s hard to be sure.
“They assured me that it is shredded,�? Crawford said.

Kao confirmed that all e-waste products are destroyed, and said that sometimes people bring in things that she wished wouldn’t have had to be destroyed.

“A really old television, the old-reel recording stereos,�? Kao said. “Some you may have wanted to put in a museum. There is no reason to tear it apart if it still works.�?

But when Jaime Horio dropped off an Audiovox cell phone, one of the workers marveled at how big the phone was and called it “old school.�?

“That tells us about today’s society,�? Kao said. “Something that is 5 years old is ‘old school.’ Things are getting small and smaller.�?

“Green” council to hold celebration at FS Wednesday

The U.S. Green Building Council’s Central California Chapter will celebrate its newly formed chapter at the Downing Planetarium May 2.

“We’re basically having the celebration as a public awareness event,�? said Bill Blayney, vice president of the USGBC. “We have presence in the Valley now.�?

According the USGBC’s Web site, the group is a 75-chapter group whose purpose is to raise standards in the construction marketplace by keeping buildings sustainable. The council also prides itself on building with the environment and efficiency in mind.

“Building ‘green’ will improve air quality, water quality and quality of life in the area by providing a better
environment to work,�? said Hal Johnston, a construction management professor at Fresno State.

“Sustainability has potential to impact both our lives and the design of buildings.�?

“Green buildings use half the power of a building comparable size,�? said Loren Aiton, the program chair of the Central California Chapter of the USGBC. “We spent 4 percent additional cost to make a green building; it can be less than that or more than that.�?

Blayney said the chapter was not only committed to improving construction for the area, but educating the region as well. “We’re there to offer a resource for students already involved in environmental studies and engineering,�? Blayney said. “As a prime objective we offer education, and a resource that’s open.�?

The USGBC is not only a resource to students but to faculty as well. Both students and instructors alike have shown excitement regarding the event.

“The people that are involved in the USGBC are experts in green building and we need to have them in the classroom,�? Johnston said. “Students should go because it gives them the opportunity to meet local experts and leaders in the green building area.�?

Matthew McLaughlin, vice president of the construction management honorary fraternity Sigma Lambda Chi, describes the USGBC as “cutting edge.�?

“This is a good opportunity for students to have access to information they will have to know in the future,�? said Izadel Tolentino, a junior in the construction management program and presidential candidate for Students in Construction. “Once we get into the workforce, we are going to start thinking about how to make buildings more environmentally friendly we have to watch how we use our product.�?

The celebration will be held at the Downing Planetarium at Fresno State May 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Only guests who RSVP’d may attend the event.

Spring game goes to ‘Dogs

For the second time in two weeks, the Fresno State offense was victorious over the defense in the annual spring football scrimmage.

The 80-play scrimmage ended with a bang, as Bulldogs freshman quarterback Ryan Colburn threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to tight end Sonny McCree to end the day. That same play was also the designated media period, in which members of the media — including The Collegian’s Darrell Copeland III — were assigned different sides of the ball to call plays with Fresno State’s second-team members.

Despite a victory for the offense, the Bulldogs defense also shined as it showed a hard-hitting personality in the secondary. But like a championship prize fight in boxing, the offense exchanged jabs with the defense, making for a hard fought scrimmage.

“I was very happy with the scrimmage,�? Fresno State head coach Pat Hill said. “It was a good, intense scrimmage. We saw some good hitting out there. It was a good way to wind down the spring. The offense was very efficient. We ran the ball better today than we did last week.�?

Nearly 3,000 fans braved the 95-degree weather, but those who showed up saw 10 of the 80 plays go for 15 yards or more. For the Bulldogs offense, quarterback Tom Brandstater unofficially passed for 126 yards on 10 of 15 throwing with one touchdown and one interception.

Colburn, who is expected to enter the season as Brandstater’s backup, also had an effective day, throwing for 116 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions on 11 of 15 passing.

One of the biggest concerns the Bulldogs wanted to address was the running game, as last season’s leading rusher, Dwayne Wright, has since moved on the National Football League. After Saturday’s performance from Lonyae Miller, that spot might no longer be a concern. Miller rushed for 41 yards on seven carries, including a 26-yard run.

Fresno State’s other main concern going into the scrimmage was the play of a young secondary, which should be tested all throughout the 2007 season with the Western Athletic Conference’s high-scoring offenses.

Marvin Haynes, Lorne Bell and Jake Jorde all had interceptions for the Bulldogs, while senior linebacker Marcus Riley had three tackles, including two tackles for loss. Senior defensive end Tyler Clutts and A.J. Jefferson reigned as the day’s top performers for Bulldogs defense.

Clutts tracked down Fresno State quarterbacks for two sacks for seven yards while Jefferson led the team in tackles with five.

“We still have some work to do,�? Hill said. “But we got in a lot of good work this spring. We saw some players emerge not only as players, but as leaders of this football team. We can use this to build on our personality.

“We have some aggressive players on defense. I really like our team speed on defense. I think this is the fastest team we’ve had. Every team has a different personality and I like what I’ve seen so far.�?

Other standouts for the Fresno State offense were Seyi Ajirotutu and Jesus Tapia, who each had a touchdown catch in the scrimmage. Ajirotutu averaged 16.8 yards on four catches.

Women win sixth straight WAC title

The Fresno State women’s tennis team continued its dominance against the Western Athletic Conference competition as the team defeated Boise State 4-0 and won its sixth-straight WAC title on Saturday.

“We came out really strong in doubles and took the crowd out of it quickly,�? head coach Simon Thibodeau said in a press statement. “We also started singles well and most importantly we finished out the match 4-0.�?

Fresno State won the doubles point for the 16th consecutive match. The sophomore tandem of Melanie Gloria and Tinesta Rowe, ranked 35th nationally, started the doubles domination as they defeated the team of Laura Baum and Jana Mackova 8-3. Fresno State’s team of Renata Kucerkova and Anastasia Petukhova clinched the doubles point in their 8-2 victory over Tatiana Ganzha and Polina Kokoulina.

Sophomore Melanie Gloria, ranked No. 3, won her 19th consecutive match as she eased past Bianca Jochimsen 6-0, 6-3.

Petukhova, playing in the No. 3 position, gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead in singles as she defeated Mackova 6-2, 6-2.

“My goal was to come out and play my best tennis,�? Petukhova said in a press statement. “As a team, I think we are really playing great, but we want to improve even more.�?

Junior Jacqueline Haskett clinched her match and the team’s sixth-straight conference title with her 6-3, 6-3 victory Tiffany Coll. Haskett’s victory extended her WAC tournament record to 5-0 in singles and 4-0 in doubles over the last three seasons.

Fresno State’s victory extended the school’s winning streak over conference opponents to 28 straight matches and improved their overall record to 20-3. With the addition of another WAC title, the team will now focus its attention on the upcoming NCAA tournament.

Fresno State, ranked No. 16th nationally, hopes to host first and second round matches of the NCAA tournament at the Wathen Tennis Center on May 12 and 13.

The tournament field and regional locations will be announced on the NCAA selection show on ESPNEWS Tuesday, May 1.

Fresno State also swept the WAC’s women’s tennis postseason awards. Kucerkova was named Freshman of the Year and Gloria won Player of the Year honors.

Head coach Simon Thibodeau won his second-straight and third overall coach of the year award.

Creative Drama aims to inspire

A spotlight hits the stage illuminating two beach chairs.

The scene has now been set and two students come on stage to perform their piece before an audience of their peers.

But this isn’t your typical Fresno State drama class.

This class, Creative Drama, is designed to touch and change lives.

Creative Drama is part of a partnership program between McLane High School and Fresno State called Turning Points Academy (TPA).

Turning Points works in collaboration with Fresno State to provide a unique and inspirational experience for both Fresno State students and McLane High sophomores.

Chanthorn Chap, a Fresno State senior communications major, is a former graduate of Turning Points. He was so inspired by his experience with the academy that he came back this semester as a teacher/facilitator in the drama class.

“TPA was a great head-start,�? Chap said. “It really motivated me and makes you mature, I wanted to come back as a college student because I wanted to make that same impact on someone else.�?

Chap said being a part of Turning Points inspired him to go to college.

“TPA helped me break out of my shell and build a bridge, a connection to the university,�? Chap said. “All the amazing student interaction within the program, made life not so intimidating and college not such a huge adjustment.�?

Creative Drama gives Fresno State students the chance to work closely with McLane students as volunteer teachers and facilitators.

Linda Dryden, the new facilitator and teacher of the course, said the college students go through a few weeks of training before they began working with the high school students. Once the college students know some theatre arts basics, they help the high school students write, stage and perform scenes in various formats.

“The students create and perform monologues, dialogues and scenes,�? Dryden said. “It is here where that creativity and that personal connection bloom.�?

Sky Sweet, a Turning Points English teacher, said the program targets the middle student — the student often left adrift, who do well enough to pass and are assumed to be fine and therefore receive the least attention.

“TPA offers a unique experience to students,�? Sweet said. “It allows the opportunity for them to connect and grow and to motivate them to succeed.�?

Turning Points was established by Principal Frank Silvestro at McLane High. The program selects 150 McLane sophomores, based on attendance, teacher references and some sophomores who personally volunteer to take part in the program.

These sophomores spend the first half of their school year preparing by learning about the Fresno State campus and selecting classes. They learn about financial aid, housing and other aspects of college life.

The second half of the year, the sophomores come to Fresno State and take classes, including English, math, biology, world history and a specially designed drama class.

The drama class is one of the most popular aspects of the Turning Points program, not only for the McLane High sophomores but for Fresno State students as well.

Roxanna Garcia, a McLane High sophomore and current Turning Points participant, said the program is great for students who need to bond and not feel so isolated.

“It builds confidence, and opens us up more,�? Garcia said.

Dawn Martinez, a Fresno State liberal studies major and a teacher/facilitator for Turning Points, said the benefits of the academy for its student participants are priceless.

“I can touch students’ lives and give them hopes and dreams,�? Martinez said. “If everyone could have an
experience like this, I feel the world could be a much better place.�?

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