The Collegian Fresno State's student-run newspaper since 1922

Plagiarism and cheating plague campuses across the nation—and Fresno State is no exception. To raise awareness between faculty and students, the new Ethics Center on campus is hosting a series of lectures throughout the semester focused on Academic Integrity.

Ashley Gomes was guaranteed as least $1,000 in scholarship money as a result of being an American Eagle Outfitters Spirit Award finalist. The only question was: Could she get more?

If trends in Hollywood are any indication of the current social trends in America, trumpeting the ills of environmental degradation is becoming the new ‘in thing.’ During the past year, Hollywood doled out one of its top awards to Al Gore for his documentary on global warming, while celebrities as disparate as James Taylor and Brad Pitt have actively encouraged Americans to enact measures to combat the wanton destruction of animals, plants and the larger ecosystems that house them. Not surprisingly, the mass population has largely followed Hollywood’s lead.

This summer, former Fresno State women’s volleyball coach Lindy Vivas won $5.85 million in a gender discrimination suit against the university, a verdict the school has since appealed. Meanwhile, CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed criticized the award and continues to stand behind University President John D. Welty, saying he felt the jury “was essentially trying to punish the CSU.”

After losing $5.85 million this summer to former women’s volleyball coach Lindy Vivas, Fresno State stands to lose even more respect and money thanks to the two high-profile gender discrimination cases scheduled to start in October and November.

Whether it’s because of the location, the modest tuition or successful recruitment services, Fresno State is seeing an ever-increasing number of students heading its way. This fall there are 2,655 first-time freshmen on campus—the largest freshman class in Fresno State’s history—and another 2,650 transfer and graduate students added to the mix.

Junior Ortega sits in an uncomfortable chair in the University Student Union, focused on his botany book, study notes sprawled out in his lap and on a small end-table. Students hum all around him. People on laptops, people on cell phones, people eating Panda Express.

In a dramatic change of course, Fresno State may soon start building up instead of out for parking facilities to alleviate the ever-increasing traffic congestion around campus.

David Finnegan, above right, a student in the credential program, studies Thursday afternoon before class in the lower lobby of the Kremen School of Education and Human Development. One of the designated alternate study areas, this location is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Some buildings, such as the Science building, house more than one substitute study space. Lobbies on all three floors of the building are open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Since August’s $3.5 million gift from Jan and Bud Richter, their picture can be seen on the rotating Save Mart Center marquee alongside the coming entertainment acts. Yet what sets them apart from, for example, Beyoncé or Maná is that their monetary pledge to Fresno Sate will aid in the campus’ efforts to promote and enhance community service among students, staff and faculty.

Training is involved in preparing for a marathon, but for Tim Borland, running 63 marathons in 63 consecutive days requires more than just stamina. What he needs are runners who can support his cause to follow him on his journey.

With countless credit card companies recruiting Fresno State students, it can be overwhelming trying to distinguish one from another. But for students already faced with credit card debt, high interest rates and increased minimum payments are nothing new.

Looking for a quick pick-me-up to get through a long afternoon? Forget that cola. A fizzy citrus drink could provide even more of a boost. A new study shows that citrus-flavored sodas often have a higher caffeine content than the most popular colas. The research also found that caffeine content can vary widely from brand to brand, and even within a brand.

September 10 is approaching fast. That’s the last day students can add or drop a class “without special privilege,” university Registrar Tina Beddall said.

Fresno State’s music department added a new face during the summer—a master cellist, soloist, chamber musician and conductor who the department hopes will revive the long-defunct campus symphony orchestra.

While many students are crashing classes and begging instructors to add them to their roll sheets, a few have been checking out classes they don’t plan to add. That’s because they’re just stopping by to introduce themselves. They’re students who want to tell the story of what it’s like to be involved in the campus community and inform their peers about what Fresno State has to offer. And they only need a few minutes to tell students what Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) can do for them.

Juan Villa / The Collegian Photos of Beyonce's performance at the Save Mart Center.

Juan Pablo Moncayo hasn’t felt like an ordinary student in a while. The dance instructor- turned-executive has come a long way – in more ways than one. “I went from an average student to vice president,” Moncayo said. “It was crazy.”