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Fall Fitness Festival

People of different fitness levels, ages and academic pursuits attended the Fall Fitness Festival on Tuesday.

Held at the Satellite Student Union to promote good health through exercise, the event focused on the variety of fitness classes offered at the Student Recreation Center on campus.

The festival featured demonstrations and unveilings of new classes on a grander scale than the classes’ usual launch format. It also provided the opportunity to introduce both new and returning instructors.

Fitness Director and Festival Coordinator Maia Jost stressed the importance of introducing students to available fitness classes as part of emphasizing fitness on campus.

“Because we are a learning environment, it is our job to educate our campus community about fitness and why it’s important,” Jost said.

Fitness instructor Stephanie White agreed that more students need to know what is available to them.

“Most people aren’t aware of the fact that they have this array of amazing fitness classes. The classes are a great way to interact with other students,” White said.

All of the group fitness classes are taught by certified professional instructors and are scheduled in a manner that accommodates the busy lives of college students.

For students who wanted other options, vendors including Livestrong, Race for the Cure and Wellness Ambassadors were present at the event. This gave students the opportunity to find out how to get involved with each of these groups, which all promote fitness. Some even offer a chance to be a part of a cause.

The Race for the Cure vendor is even bringing an event to campus, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, on Oct. 27. It benefits the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation by raising money to guarantee excellent care and help find cures.

One of the students who took advantage of the opportunity to meet with the vendors was Fresno State Spirit Squad member Melanie Davis, who said that the vendors were set up well.

“[They] were very interesting, informative, and eager to share their knowledge,” Davis said.

The members of the Fresno State Spirit Squad, which consists of co-ed cheerleaders and Fresno State’s mascot, also participated in numerous classes at the festival.

Squad member Andrea Schilling enjoyed the classes and said that it was more challenging than she had expected.

“They got my heart rate up more than I thought they would. I did not realize how intense they were,” Schilling said. “[But] the instructors are very active and involved. They talked us through everything, and made us feel that we weren’t the only ones working hard.”

Davis agreed that the instructors helped to make the classes enjoyable.

“They were very friendly and got everyone engaged with their enthusiasm,” Davis said.

The event got the attention of KMPH Fox 26 News, and the event was dubbed a success by the students who were attending.

“I loved it! It was professionally set up. It was over the top excellent,” interior design major Cory Strasser said.

Due to the popularity of this festival, the Rec Center plans to have similar events in the future.

Student Recreation Center classes and info

Open to all Fresno State students, the rec. center offers seven different classes: Body Pump, Body Combat, Body Flow, Hip Hop, Spinning, B.A.T. and Boot Camp.

• Descriptions of these classes can be found online. Hours as well as instructor information are available for all classes.

• To find out more about upcoming Rec Center events and who is involved, keep updated by getting on the Rec Center’s web site.

’Dogs at home

For the first time since the fall semester began, the Fresno State football, women’s soccer and women’s volleyball teams are all at home this weekend.

Both football and soccer play at Bulldog Stadium and volleyball plays at the Save Mart Center.

Admission for the women’s sports is free with Fresno State I.D.

The football team looks to even out its record in the match against Louisiana Tech.

Since 2001, the Bulldogs have won four of the last six meetings.

Women’s soccer (3-4) hosts UTEP and Cal State Fullerton.

UTEP and Fresno State last met in 2004 when the ’Dogs fell to the Miners, who lead the overall series, 3-2.

The series with Cal State Fullerton is tied 3-3.

Women’s volleyball hosts second place Utah State in conference play.

The series between the ’Dogs and the Aggies is tied 5-5.

The ’Dogs are 2-2 in WAC standings, 4-10 overall.

Weekend Schedule

The competitions at home this weekend.

• Soccer vs. UTEP
Friday, Sept. 28, 7:00 p.m.

• Volleyball vs. Utah State
Saturday, Sept. 29, 1:00 p.m.

• Football vs. Louisiana Tech
Saturday, Sept. 29, 7:00 p.m.

• Soccer vs. Cal State Fullerton
Sunday, Sept. 30, 2:00 p.m.

Sober students less rowdy, still want alcohol

It’s been one year since the powers that be removed alcohol from Bulldog Stadium, and student reaction remains mixed.

Jason Trevino, a senior history major, said the no-alcohol policy was notable in the home football opener against Sacramento State.

The ban also means less money for the athletic department and ultimately the university, he said.

“I don’t think they should have banned it,” he said. “I think they should bring it back, maybe control it for just a section.”

Dietetics senior Clint Lara didn’t go to the game, but said the fans would probably be less boisterous.

“It kind of kills the home team momentum,” he said. “It’s good and bad.”

There are other ways for unscrupulous students.

“Now we have to sneak it in instead of buying it,” he said.

Others aren’t sure why the policy went into effect.

Lara said it’s to promote a family atmosphere, but Carly Cahoon, a health science senior, said it had to do with curtailing underage drinking.

“I think it’s worse off because people just get belligerently drunk before a game,” she said.

Freshman Grace DeMarco, a liberal studies major, called the ban pointless.

“People just get drunk before the games,” she said. “People are still drunk during the games.

“I don’t think it makes any sense. Either way, people are going to drink.”

Steve Rendon, a junior history major, said he likes to drink.

“I’m a drinker,” he said. “[The ban is] bad.”

Rendon was more practical about it.

“If we’re not going to do so well this season, we need something to keep our minds busy.”

Fresno State Football: Week 5 Preview

Fresno State Bulldogs (1-2) vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (1-2)

Gameday: Saturday, 7 p.m., at Bulldog Stadium

Radio: KMJ-AM 580 and KGST-AM 1600 (ESPN Deportes)

Pre-game Show: KFIG-AM 1430 ESPN Gameday Live at 4 p.m.

Bulldogs’ Three Keys to Victory:

1)Give Tommy time to throw. If the line can give Brandstater proper protection, then he can exploit a weak Louisiana Tech secondary.

2)Shut down Jackson. If the Fresno State defense can stifle Patrick Jackson and the running game, then they will shut down the Tech offense.

3)Play mistake-free football. Lately Fresno State has been shooting themselves in the foot. This week the Bulldogs need to cut down on penalties and turnovers. If they can play fundamental, Bulldog football they shoud roll to victory.

Born on the bayou…

Last Week: Bye – Lost 12-42 to California two weeks ago

2006 Record: 3-10, 1-7 WAC (T-8TH)

Head Coach: Derek Dooley (First Season)

Offense: Multiple Single-Back

Defense: 4-3

Key Players: FS Antonio Baker, P Chris Keagle, LB Quin Harris
Series Record: Fresno State leads 6-2

Last Meeting: 2006 – Fresno State won 34-27 in Ruston

Position Matchups

Quarterbacks: Fresno State
Brandstater has really come into his own in 2007.

Running Backs: Louisiana Tech
Jackson is one of the top tailbacks in the WAC.

Offensive Line: Fresno State
Fresno’s line is depleted, but expect them to step up.

Wide Receivers: Fresno State
Moore, Crawley and Pascoe should have a field day.

Defensive Line: Fresno State
Loss of Roberts hurts, but Tyler Clutts can pick up the slack.

Linebackers: Fresno State
Tech’s Quin Harris is solid, but Fresno trio is scary.

Defensive Backs: Fresno State
Tech has the worst pass defense in the WAC – enough said.

Special Teams: Fresno State
Blocking kicks seems to be Fresno’s niche. Look for another one on Saturday.

Football and alcohol still mix in Mackay Stadium

Scott Sonner, AP Writer. RENO, Nev. (AP) — Concerned some intoxicated fans are making Nevada’s Mackay Stadium something less than family friendly, school officials appealed Thursday for good sportsmanship at Saturday’s game against rival UNLV.

“This is the big game,” school president Milton Glick told reporters.

“We really want to win this game. We believe we will win the game,” he said. “At the same time, we want to welcome the fans from Las Vegas.”

“We want people who come up from UNLV to say, ‘Wow, when we come to Reno, they really treat us well except on the football field,’” Glick said.

“We think you can be a true advocate for the team and great fans, loud fans and show class.”

Glick said he, athletic director Cary Growth and coach Chris Ault called the news conference as part of “a big all-out effort this year to create that fan-friendly atmosphere.”

“We want families to be comfortable coming to the game,” he said.

School officials said earlier that security guards will deny entrance to visibly intoxicated fans. Starting Saturday and continuing through the season, alcohol sales will be limited to one drink per person, per purchase and that sales — which typically stop at the end of halftime — can be discontinued at any point.

“Sometimes we’ve got some folks who come in and — whether it’s the home team or the visiting team — who drank a little too much,” Groth said. “We try to control that and game by game, I think we are getting better.”

“Our fans and community leaders expect our student athletes to operate in a first-class manner and that’s what we expect of our fans. It goes both ways,” Groth said.

A sellout or near-capacity crowd is expected for Saturday’s 1:05 p.m. game at Mackay Stadium, the scene of some past hostilities between the two rivals.

In 2003, then UNLV coach John Robinson was struck in the head by a plastic bottle thrown by a fan from the stands as his team left the field after a 16-12 victory. The fan was arrested and Robinson was unharmed.

In 1995, there were two on-field brawls, 25 ejections and six arrests. Glick said security will not refuse entry to fans wearing T-shirts being sold in Reno with “F UNLV” on the front.

But “we are going to discourage people from wearing T-shirts that might embarrass families,” he said.

He said 5,000 blue T-shirts that say “Stay True” will be provided to the first fans through the student gate.

“We hope they’ll agree to put those on over the T-shirt they bought some place that I think is in bad taste,” he said.

Ault said Mackay Stadium has a tradition of being fan friendly and he’s counting on strong support on Saturday.

“I’ve always told everybody half the team is on the field, the other half is in the stands,” the coach said. “When the environment is right and all the energy is centered toward the football team itself, toward the game itself, this is an electric stadium. That is what we need. We need people to be behind the Pack.”

‘Who’s in charge?’ explained

The Sept. 26 edition of The Collegian featured on its front page an article by news reporter Katrina Garcia under the headline, “Who’s in charge?”

The article, referring to an alcohol-related incident involving members of the sorority Delta Zeta, posed the central question: When fraternities and sororities find themselves embroiled in issues with potential legal recourse, to whom do they turn, and to whom are they accountable?

On Sept. 12, The Collegian was forwarded an unsolicited e-mail illustrating an alcohol-related incident involving underage drinking. The author of the e-mail, affiliated with Delta Zeta, expressed “serious concerns” about the occurrence. The content of the e-mail — which included information about executive members, potentials and the severity of the alcohol use — prompted The Collegian’s inquiry into the situation.

During the course of the inquiry, The Collegian discovered through Delta Zeta’s faculty adviser, Dan Carrion, that the events described in the e-mail did not match with findings of an internal investigation, conducted by the Regional Collegiate Coordinator of Delta Zeta, Sandy Hall, as well as Recruitment Adviser Melissa Littlewood. Neither Hall nor Littlewood are affiliated with the university.

This discovery shifted the focus of our inquiry to the issue of accountability.

A detail of the events that occurred — as Carrion recounted to Garcia on the evening of Monday, Sept. 24 — describes a situation in which two girls, a Delta Zeta potential and her friend, attended an event hosted by the sorority. According to Carrion, the girls left the event for a fraternity party, where the friend of the potential was later discovered intoxicated and feeling ill.

Carrion told The Collegian that the friend was discovered by other Delta Zeta sisters, who took the girl back the their sorority house and notified the president of the sorority, who in turn notified Littlewood, an alumna of Delta Zeta.

Despite multiple attempts to contact current members of the sorority, including President Joann Mercado, Delta Zeta has failed to agree to any interviews with The Collegian. None of these events have been officially confirmed to The Collegian by Delta Zeta sisters.

On Friday, Sept. 21, when Garcia conducted her first interview with Carrion, he reacted with surprise to the news of the occurrence, as he had not been informed.

According to Littlewood, with whom Garcia spoke the previous day, an internal investigation was already under way. “If it’s internal, I should’ve known about it,” Carrion said on Friday, upon being informed by The Collegian of the Delta Zeta investigation. Their investigation consisted of interviews conducted with members present at the incident.

Only after being approached by The Collegian did the sorority schedule an appointment informing their faculty adviser of the occurrence, where representatives gave their summary of events to Carrion.

Garcia’s second interview with Carrion, in conjunction with his initial surprise, catalyzed the focus of the story.

A later interview with Laura Williams, Greek adviser for the university, added another layer to the inquiry. Williams said there is no general protocol requiring Greek organizations to alert their faculty advisers of internal investigations, though certain chapters do mandate the notification of certain advisers in their particular constitutions. Furthermore, they are not required to disclose any of these investigations to Williams.

This raised our concerns. While Greeks are ultimately under the jurisdiction of the Division of Student Affairs, they are not necessarily required to inform anybody affiliated with the university of occurrences that chapters believe warrant internal investigations.

The accountability factor was ultimately the focus of the article, one which a number of our critics seem to have missed.

In essence, Garcia’s article is about the accountability within the Greek system, not members of the Greek community.

The article was never intended as a means of reinforcing stereotypes about Greeks. Rather, the intent was to inform our readers of how the process of reporting incidents in the Greek system works, and to illuminate the murky rules of accountability between fraternities and sororities and their university advisers.

While we are not in the position to legislate for Greek organizations, we believe it is our duty to question why university-affiliated organizations are not required to report to the university.

The current system allows Greeks to report incidents to whomever they choose, and unless a police report is forwarded to the university, Fresno State can be kept in the dark about problems within Greek organizations.

We believe if a problem merits an internal investigation on behalf of a chapter, the university should, at the very least, know about it, if not conduct its own investigation. How qualified is any organization to investigate itself?

This is a conflict of interest — a position with which we believe hardly anybody would disagree.

For the good of the university, no organization — Greek or otherwise — should be able to use the school simply for legal cover, should an incident escalate to a level necessitating university involvement, by their current standards.

The current system demands a heavy dose of personal responsibility and the current system demands little in the way of specific accountability.

The current system demands review and change.

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