The letter from Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II was released just before the students’ spring break began. This hasn’t stopped the students from expressing their anger online and to their student body representatives.

Almost 7,000 students have joined a Facebook page titled, “WE DON’T WANT DISCRIMINATION IN OUR STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES” and have organized a rally for March 23.

Matthew Jarvis Cal State Fullerton political science professor says something like this isn’t likely to happen in California.

“I’m not as worried about discrimination based on sexual orientation being a problem in a California university,” Jarvis said. “If they said we couldn’t ban it, it’s like, so what? We weren’t going to do it anyway. Not banning is different than being forced to do so.”

While Jarvis isn’t as worried about discrimination in California, he thinks many other states, especially those who don’t support gay rights, may see this opportunity in Virginia as a way to discriminate freely.

“Some universities might want to discriminate against gays or lesbians if only they could; if only the state would let them,” Jarvis said. “While I’m generally not as concerned about it in academia as I would be in most other walks of life – like government hiring, among other things  – it still would be a cause for concern.”

Some CSUF students, like 19-year-old psychology major Laura Buril, feel that Cuccinelli shouldn’t be in power.

“I really think that the schools should just drop (the issue) all together and call Cuccinelli out for the obvious homophobia he’s showing,” Buril said. “Someone who has such a bias against a certain sexual orientation shouldn’t be allowed to hold a high position.”

Other powerful officials in Virginia, like Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) and former Gov. Jerry Baliles (D), have spoken openly about Cuccinelli’s letter.

McDonnell supports Cuccinelli. A spokesperson for McDonnell said that Cuccinelli’s opinion is consistent with all prior opinions from other attorney generals for over 25 years. Although he backs Cuccinelli’s letter, he said that he would “consider” supporting legislation that would extend legal protections based on sexual orientation.

Baliles, on the other hand, doesn’t support Cuccinelli and wrote a legal response to his letter.

Professors and deans in the Virginia public university system don’t plan on heeding Cuccinelli’s advice, and Jarvis believes this is because most public universities would lose money if they discriminated.

Buril predicts disaster if the universities listened to Cuccinelli.

“They realize that if they discriminate against students (and professors) based on sexual orientation, they’ll lose money and students and (it will) possibly cause them to dive into a financial crisis like what California is in now,” Buril said.

Although Jarvis believes that this problem is relatively small, he said it could be the tip of the iceberg for gay rights if other sectors get involved.

“If students want to be concerned, be concerned for the overall battle over gay rights. This issue is sort of like if someone can take this step for a university, they can take a step for other government agencies and then you might start to see real serious impacts.”

Matthew Marnell, a 20-year-old American studies major, thinks that Cuccinelli’s letter is a step backward for the United States.

“I think it’s a regression to a period of time where (anti-discrimination laws) weren’t accessible, where everyone believed that there was the heterosexual male and a heterosexual female,” Marnell said. “It’s obviously Cuccinelli trying to impress his standards of sexual orientation on the universities, which probably wouldn’t be accepted to begin with.”

Buril added that there would always be someone to toughen the lesbian, gay, bi, transgender fight, but everyone’s the same in the end.

“There’s always going to be something that ends up having one group against another until people learn to move past their biases and realize we’re all human beings,” Buril said. “We all breathe the same air and bleed the same color blood.”

Japanese children were forcibly evacuated and moved to internment camps during WWII. Photo courtesy of FlickR.com/FredMikeRudy

In the spring of 1942, hundreds of thousands of Japanese Americans were removed from their homes and forced into internment camps. Among those who faced this injustice, many were students who had to leave their studies.

The Nisei Diploma Project is a collaborative effort of all the current CSU campuses that had Japanese-American students who were removed and forced into internment camps during World War II. While Cal State Fullerton was not open at the time, six other CSU campuses were – Fresno, Pomona, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and San Luis Obispo.

Through the project, those removed and forced into internment camps will receive Honorary Bachelor of Humane Letters degrees.

According to the project’s Web site, the CSU system hopes to at least ease the pain of the incarceration the students faced, and welcome the students back into the CSU.

When Beverly DiDomenico heard about the project, she was overjoyed. Both of her parents were removed from their studies and placed in internment camps during the spring of 1942 and neither were able to complete their education later. “I know if the war hadn’t happened they would have finished school,” DiDomenico said.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the bill calling for this project last summer. According to Colleen Bentley, who has been working on the project, the six campuses included began planning their ceremonies soon after and figuring out how to locate the students.

Unfortunately, many of the students who were removed from their studies are now deceased.

“Should we have done it years ago? Of course,” said Bentley. “It’s late, but it’s still a worthwhile program we put together.”

The internment of Japanese Americans began shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. It was during that time that approximately 110,000 Japanese-Americans on the United States West Coast were interned – all under the justification of ‘national security’.

“It was an injustice upon people,” Bentley said.

DiDomenico’s parents were each placed in different camps – her mother, Ellen Kuyama-Matsumoto, in Poston War Relocation Center, and her father, Shigeki Matsumoto, in Gila River War Relocation Center.

“When I was young, my relatives would get together and talk about camp – I didn’t know what they were talking about. I didn’t find out about the relocation camp until I was taking American history in high school,” DiDomenico said.

Her mother, now 88, didn’t tell DiDomenico much about the internment. “She really wouldn’t talk about it (when I asked),” DiDomenico said. “It was the worst time of her life.”

Joy Sato’s parents were both interned in 1942 as well. “They said that they felt safe there. They were all together.”

Having heard about the Nisei Diploma project, Sato says she feels very happy for her parents. “It would have meant more to my father, because he studied very hard and then the war broke out and he had to stop.” Though Sato’s father did attend a Quaker college in Philadelphia for some time later, he had to leave in order to tend to his family’s farm back west. “He continued his education, teaching himself.”

Her mother, Mariko Sato, and her father, Jyuichi Sato, both attended what is now San Diego State University at the time of the relocation.

Sato and DiDomenico both found out about the project through letters from their parents’ schools. Their parents are among the approximately 250 other Japanese-American students that the CSU campuses are trying to find, though Bentley is quick to point out that this is not an exact number.

“It’s as close as they can get,” she said, adding that it’s believed that, statewide, as many as 2,500 students were removed from their school during the internment. That number comes from studies done by other Japanese-American organizations.

The ceremonies for the degrees are officially in May, but the campuses are being flexible with the dates, accounting for the schedules of family members attending and the wishes of the families.

“The campuses are being incredibly thoughtful,” Bentley said.

Eight months of planning and open-ended student surveys showed the band was favored alongside Lil’ Wayne, Kanye West and No Doubt.

“We’ve been planning the event since July,” said junior Michelle Carnero, Spring Concert Coordinator. Carnero’s first task was to discover which artists students cared to see perform on campus. Campus-conducted surveys showed that LMFAO was in the top 10.

“Afterwards, the majority of the year is spent getting the biggest artist we possibly can within our budget ($100,500 of the ASI budget has been allocated to the concert) and reminding people to save the date and just letting people know that the concert is coming up,” Carnero said.

After the original headliner, hip-hop artist Drake, unexpectedly backed out of contract, the chart topping, campus-friendly group was a favorable alternate.

“When booking a band, we contact an artist’s agent and ask for availability and interest and if they agree. Then Thomas Kocina, the ASI program director, and I will bring it to the Finance Committee to get it approved.

The Board of Directors approves the artists and then we can go into contract with the artist,” Carnero said.

LMFAO, with three number one hits in 2009, performed at Florida State University and UCI, and will be opening for the Black Eyed Peas this spring, was one of the few acts within financial range.

“I think it is going to be a huge concert for Cal State Fullerton,” said junior political science major and ASI Chief Governmental Officer Gregory Washington. “LMFAO is really popular and I think this will be by far the most popular Spring Concert we have had yet.”

Last year, the Spring Concert was sold out, but only 2,000 people attended the show.

“This year we’re aiming for another sold out show as well as a completely packed stadium,” Carnero said.

The Spring Concert is limited to 3,000 students (2,500 students and 500 guests) and is considered a closed event.

“I would totally go see LMFAO. They are a really upbeat and energetic group that will definitely bring the school community together,” said senior child and adolescent development major Mary Jo Pluchino.

ASI made changes to the show in order to bring in greater audiences.

“We got a lot of complaints about the line being too long last year. This year, we’ve made adjustments to move the line twice as fast,” Carnero said. “Also, this year’s concert won’t have a rock band, unlike the last three years. We have one huge headliner and a more up-and-coming opening act rather than co-headliners like last year.”

The concert will take place at the Titan Stadium on the April 16.  Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event beings at 7 p.m.  Admission for students is free and the guest fee is $10.  Tickets go on sale at the TSU Info Services on Monday, March 22.

Students march pass Langsdorf Hall, protesting for gay rights. Photo by David Munoz/Daily Titan Staff Writer

Members of gay rights organizations from Cal State Fullerton and Cal Poly Pomona united Wednesday, March 17, to rally against Itawamba Agricultural High School’s prom cancellation in Fulton, Miss., and Westboro Baptist Church’s upcoming protest at Dutchtown High School in Dutchtown, La..

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against Itawamba High School for canceling prom due to a female student’s request to attend with a female date and wear a tuxedo, according to CNN.

Kamah Wilson, a member of CSUF’s Queer Straight Alliance, organized the protest as soon as she heard about the prom cancellation at Itawamba High School.

“I think after I got over the emotional part, that’s when I was thinking, ‘Don’t just be emotional,’ ” Wilson said. ” ‘Do something about it.’ ”

The protesters gathered at a table on the Titan Walk holding hand-written signs, and concluded the movement by marching and chanting across campus.

Wilson said she expected a roughly 60-person turnout, but the protest involved around 20 people at the peak of its attendance.

Wilson, who moved to California from Gonzales, La. in May 2009, was further motivated to take action after she heard that Westboro Baptist Church has planned to protest against Dutchtown High School’s play, “The Laramie Project,” which features a gay man as its main character.

Westboro will protest against the play at Dutchtown High School during the performance, according to WAFB, a news station in Louisiana.

Gonzales is located near Dutchtown, which is why the issue had a significant impact on Wilson.

Supporters of the movement were reached through Facebook, which is how Cal Poly students like Courtney True learned about the protest.

True, president of Cal Poly’s Queer Students & Allies for Equality, grew up in Texas and says she is familiar with institutionalized discrimination.

“In small towns, it’s very traditional, it’s very religious,” True said. “Hate like this is homegrown; it comes from religious backgrounds and your parents and how they believe.”

True said that since California is more liberal than most Southern states, similar incidents involving gay high school students may either be less prevalent or more overlooked.

“That’s another reason why we’re here – to bring it into the mainstream to let people be aware of what’s going on and the hate that’s being propagated all over the U.S.,” True said.

Katie Claburn, a member of QSA, said she had heard of gay students who worked around school policies in order to have same-sex dates to their high school proms. Claburn recalled that two couples had posed as opposite-sex dates and switched during the dance.

“No one hears about these issues,” Claburn said. “If they were more mainstream, it would get more coverage; people would see what a problem it really is.”

Q-SAFE plans to hold its own movement against Itawamba High School, but since Cal Poly’s winter quarter has just ended, the organization will have to wait until the week after Cal Poly’s spring break, True said.

Claburn said that although the problem at Itawamba High School could have been avoided if McMillen decided to go to the prom alone, Itawamba’s discrimination against homosexuals is an important issue that needs to be addressed.

“In some places, it’s just still not accepted,” True said. “That’s why this needs publicity; that’s why this needs to be able to be seen by more than just the queer community.”

Cancer survivors start off CSUF's first Relay for Life event on the EC lawn. Photo by Nick Marley/Daily Titan Photo Editor

The second annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life Cal State Fullerton will give students, faculty and staff the opportunity to work together to fight against cancer.

Relay for Life will last 24 hours, beginning Saturday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m. and ending Sunday, April 11 at 10:00 a.m. Relay participants will walk around the Engineering and Computer Science building lawn to raise cancer awareness.

Relay for Life CSUF is a non-profit event that is part of the American Cancer Society Colleges Against Cancer Program that raises money for cancer research and programs. Donations will support the Road to Recovery program, providing cancer patients rides to and from their medical treatment.

Kaila Zamites, 18, the Fight Back Chairman for CSUF Relay for Life, said that the reason the relay will last 24 hours is because cancer never sleeps, so neither will the participants.

“One person from each team has to be walking at all times,” said Zamites.

According to the American Society of Cancer there were an estimated 1.4 million new cases of cancer in 2009.

“Everyone has been affected by cancer in some way,” Zamites added.

The event’s motto is “One Day. One Night. One Community. One Fight.”

The relay will start with the Survivors’ Lap, in which all of the cancer survivors at the event will walk around the perimeter of the lawn together to celebrate their victorious battle over cancer. After that, the teams will begin their 24 hour walk. Live bands, games and raffles will keep the participants entertained during the relay. Raffle tickets will cost $1 and all the proceeds will go directly to the American Cancer Society.

The second portion of the relay, the Luminaria Ceremony, remembers victims who lost in their battle with cancer. Candles are lit inside paper bags that display the name of a person affected by cancer. The participants will then walk a lap in silence and get a feel for why defeating cancer is such an important priority, Zamites said.

There were an estimated 562,000 deaths as a result of cancer in the United States in 2009, according to the ASC.

The Fight Back Ceremony wraps up the 24 hour event. Event participants will each sign a purple cancer ribbon which represents a pledge to help save lives by taking up the fight against cancer. According to Zamites, a list of cancer fighting organizations will be listed to provide participants the opportunity to contact an organization and volunteer.

Laura Lee, 23, a biology major and the event’s co-chair, has high expectations for this year’s event.

“Our goal is to have 45 groups participating and to raise $37,000,” said Lee.

Money is raised through registration fees, donations and fundraising events.

Registration is $100 per team or $10 for individuals who want to participate. Even though team captains must be CSUF students, faculty or staff members, everyone can take part of this event and join a team.

CSUF Relay for Life team development chairman Danielle Riniolo, 20, is taking part in the relay for her cousin.

“My cousin has had cancer since she was 8 years old and my main motivation is her,” said Riniolo.

She is also the captain of Team Infinity that has worked deals with local restaurants to host fundraising nights.

Cold Stone at the Orangefair Mall in Fullerton will donate 15 percent of customer purchases from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on March 22 to CSUF Relay for Life. On March 25, the Cantina Lounge in Fullerton will host an all-day event and donate 20 percent of customer purchases directly to the Cal State Fullerton Relay of Life.

Other student groups will also host fundraisers on the day of the event, such as bake or craft sales.

Registration will be open until the day of the event at relayforlife.org/calstatefullertonCA. Even if an individual cannot attend the event, they can still help fight cancer by donating through the Web site.

“It’s a great cause. Sign up because you want to make a difference in someone’s life,” Lee said.

Jerry Amante speaks to Cal State Fullerton students about OCTA, his experiences as mayor of Tustin and about his political stance at the TSU on Wednesday. Photo by Katie Rossomano/Daily Titan Staff Writer

Chairman Jerry Amante is also the mayor of Tustin, a Republican candidate for state legislature and an experienced corporate real estate lawyer.

After the devastating earthquakes that occurred in Haiti and Chile in the past month, many Southern California residents are questioning whether yesterday’s earthquake is a precursor to a larger earthquake.

“There is always that possibility in California that any earthquake can be a foreshock for something larger,” said Professor David Bowman, associate professor and chair of the department of geological sciences. “It’s been long enough since the earthquake so the odds have decreased exponentially.”

The earthquake hit at 4:04 a.m., with the epicenter located about 11.7 miles below Pico Rivera. It was felt as far south as San Diego county and west along the coast through Malibu and Ventura county.

“It looks like it was a thrust fault, so it was probably that same line that caused the Whittier earthquake back in 1987,” said Jeffrey Knott, professor of geological sciences. “It could be in the same aftershock sequence, but since it’s 23 years later, I’m pretty sure it’s not related to Whittier.”

The fault is believed to be associated with the Puente Hills line, according to the U.S. Geological Survey Web site.

“It is unquestionably true California has the potential for a large earthquake,” Bowman said. “We have several faults, like the San Andreas fault, and it’s been a long time since they’ve had a big earthquake. From that perspective we are defintely overdue.”

Although, California is considered to be one of the most prepared places in the world for a large earthquake, it would still be beneficial to retrofit older structures and bridges, said Bowman.

“I didn’t think it was anything major because I was too far away to really feel the jolt,” said Steven Hoang, a biochemistry major. “I have emergency supplies at home, but school-wise, I don’t really know if there is any protocol we are supposed to follow.”

There are steps that residents of Southern California should take to prepare themselves for the inevitable “big one,” such as storing an earthquake kit, snacks, water, medication and even a spare set of shoes in your car, and there should be enough to survive three to seven days after, Bowman said.

“We participate in the ShakeOut drills every October, but I think 100 percent of the people are not prepared,” Knott said.

The Great California ShakeOut is an annual earthquake drill that allows organizations across California to practice and prepare for the actual event. There were more than 6.9 million participants in 2009 and the next one is scheduled for Oct. 21 at 10:21 a.m.

“Earthquakes happen all the time in California,” Bowman said. “But these small earthquakes are a wake-up call for Californians to remember that we live in earthquake country and we do need to be more prepared.”

Students learn how to get involved at the ASI Open House event that was held on March 16. Photo by Ashley Luu/Daily Titan Staff Writer

The Associated Students Inc. Open House offered opportunities for students to get involved on campus by joining a committee, making their voices heard and meeting current leaders at the Titan Student Union Tuesday.

Students participated in the event by talking to various members involved with the Titan Tusk Force, Lobby Corps, ASI Productions and the Association for Intercultural Awareness (AICA).

Andrew Lopez, ASI chief communications officer, said that the purpose of the event was to urge students to get involved in programs, along with elections for board positions and the TSU governing board.

“This (event) is something we want to continue doing. We definitely like the fact that we’re getting out there and being as transparent as possible, showcasing the student leadership opportunities,” Lopez said.

Mark Hizon, administrative chair for AICA, said the event included everything that ASI encompassed, and offered information for students to get involved.

“We have great leadership opportunities that are all run by students, so this is a great opportunity for them to get involved and learn how to set those foundations when they get into the fall semester,” Hizon said.

Hizon said that AICA focuses on celebrating culture and is a program housed by ASI, rather than another college.

“It was through one of these events that I learned about it (AICA) and I got kind of sucked in. I said, ‘You know what? This is what I want to do for the rest of my college career,’” Hizon said.

At the TSU booth, graduate student Daniell Whittington said that jobs from the marketing department, executive services and titan bowl are being offered.

“(Jobs) allow students not only to work on campus, but to be a part of the Cal State Fullerton community,” Whittington said.

A job post displayed an opening for a graphic designer, services assistant, webmaster, desk attendant, recreation attendant, a Lindy-hop and Jitterbug instructor and a West Coast swing dance instructor.

Theatre major Lauren Kidwell, 21, said that she found out about the event through a friend, and was interested in learning about what was offered.

“There were good incentives and they (ASI/TSU members) were inviting. I think it’s good for freshman to know what goes on campus,” Kidwell said.

Since the turnout was not large, Kidwell said that events should be publicized in the Quad because people tend to flock to booths more.

Lopez said that he wants the open house and other events to take place in the Quad so more students can notice.

“Keep an eye out. As long as they’re (students) paying attention to all the marketing that’s going out there to highlight events, then they should be aware,” Lopez added.

Hizon said that any form of promotion helps because the opportunities offered at CSUF and ASI are a positive thing.

“They (students) have those leadership positions and can continue to grow in this organization (ASI) and as a part of this student government here at CSUF,” Hizon added.

For event information or interests in becoming an ASI member, go to: Asi.fullerton.edu/

Shakell Syed, a guest speaker for MESS, talks about the conflict in Israel and the hardships that the Palestinian people endure on Tuesday March 16th in the quad. Photo by Nick Marley/Daily Titan Photo Editor

The Middle Eastern Student Society held an event at the Quad Tuesday to bring awareness to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the conditions and struggles Palestinians are subjected to.

A wall featuring graphic pictures of injured Palestinian women, men and children caught the attention of students walking by. The wall also contained facts about the dangers Palestinians are faced with on a daily basis as well as historical and statistical information, such as death tolls.

“We are bringing attention to a side that’s not on the news. You always see Israel’s side and not what Palestinians have to go through,” said club member Ahmed Al-Hallai. “The media portrays Palestinians as terrorists and people who don’t want peace, but in reality they do want peace,” Al-Hallai said. “They’re being thrown out of their homes and tortured.”

In 1947, the UN divided Palestine into two states. Fifty-seven percent became a Jewish state and 43 percent became a Palestine-Arab state. Palestinians rejected this plan, which led to a war between Israel and the Arab states. Between 1967 and 2004, Israel invaded and took over Gaza and the West Bank, giving Israel 100 percent control of the land of Palestine.

This control has been maintained by a wall that was built in the West Bank that is 730 kilometers and eight meters high. The wall includes electric fences, trenches and military patrol.

Checkpoints have been built by Israeli Defense Forces of Border Police to limit the movement of Palestinians who lack necessary permits. All Palestinians need a permit in order to move place to place whether they are going to school, work or a store.

“It’s shocking to see all this information,” said Samantha Mondragon, 22, chemistry major. She added that it’s hard for students to inform themselves when they’re so busy with school.

“In America, we have such a high opinion of Israel and you just don’t expect to see how Palestinians are being treated,” said Katheryn Rendon, 19, biochemistry and anthropology major.

There are over 446 obstacles placed between roads and villages, including 88 iron gates and 74 kilometers of fences along main roads, according to the facts written on the wall. Two guest speakers attended the event to tell their first hand experience.

Radhika Sainath, an attorney and human rights activist, lived in West Bank for two years where she worked with the International Solidarity Movement. Sainath said people should care about what’s going on because it’s more than a humanitarian issue.

“It’s 40 years of military occupation; you have no rights, no citizenship. You’re basically living under the gun and Americans are contributing to this. We’re funding it and making it possible,” Sainath said.

Shakeel Syed, who is part of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California and a human rights activist also lived there for two months, said he witnessed a pregnant woman trying to get to the hospital who was denied access past the checkpoint.

“Palestinians are deprived and subjected of basic human necessities. People are humiliated and stopped at multiple checkpoints,” Syed said. “Palestinians will continue to live as strangers and as prisoners in their own state as they have for 61 years.”

“How do we make a change?” someone in the crowd asked.

Syed responded by saying that it’s the small efforts that people undertake that will free the people of Palestine.

The Middle Eastern Student Society will be at the quad today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bracelets are being sold at the event and the proceeds will go to the Palestine’s Child Relief Fund.

Winning contestants Alex Leyte, 18 (left), and Chad Renegar, 19 (right), won this semester's iPod Kiss-a-thon in 50 minutes competing against 10 other teams Tuesday in front of the Titan Bookstore. Photo by Lauren Mccann/Daily Titan Staff Writer

Why kiss a funny little leprechaun or spend a lifetime looking for the end of the rainbow for a pot o’ gold, when you could have spent less than an hour smooching on a paper plate with a fellow Cal State Fullerton student for an iPod.

Sponsored by CSUF Titan Shops, the iPod Kiss-a-thon took place in front of the Titan Bookstore at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 16, for the chance for one team of two CSUF students to win two iPod’s valued at $199 each.

The 4th annual iPod Kiss-a-thon began with an “e-mail blast” to students who were signed up to receive e-mails from Titan Shops, telling them the date, time and location of the event and encouraging students to sign up and participate. The event takes place twice a year. During spring semester, it is for the chance to win an iPod and the fall semester it’s for a MacBook.

Winning contestant Alex Leyte, 18, a psychology major, was in the Titan Bookstore when his interest was peaked by a flier promoting the event for a free iPod. “I needed an upgrade from my nano,” Leyte said.

Monday evening, before the event, Leyte “Facebooked” his fellow Phi Kappa TAU fraternity brother, Chad Renegar, 19, a biology and business management major, and asked him to be his partner in the Kiss-a-thon.

It didn’t take much coercing for Renegar to agree to participate. “We came to win and we did,” Leyte said.

Before the event began, there was an initial sign-up where students had to show a valid Titan I.D. card and sign an Activity Waiver.

Angie Dulay, Titan Tech manager and Michael Khalil, Apple Inc.’s senior campus representative for CSUF ran the event.

“This semester we were going to limit 20 teams to compete in the event starting at 11 a.m. By 11:30, only 11 teams had signed up. We wanted to get it up and running so we started the event,” Dulay said.

The Kiss-a-thon’s 11 teams were composed of co-ed teams, male-only and female-only.

“For a Tuesday it seems pretty quiet. Midterms probably had a bit to do with it. There are pretty long lines for scantrons inside,” Dulay said.

The last two competing teams were male-only. In the past, female-only and co-ed teams dominated the competition.

Last year’s winner, Brandon Octavio, 21, lasted an hour and a half before he claimed his prize. This year, Octavio participated in the Kiss-a-thon for only 30 minutes when his focus was lost during a
“Simon Says” segment.

Khalil, who gave instruction on poses and different angles for contestants to move, pushed the students to their limit in the hot Spring sun. Within the last few minutes, Khalil made the contestants continuously kneel down on opposite knees, leaving the two lasting teams sweaty and tired. The deciding moment came when Khalil made the four contestants balance on one foot with one hand in the air, pushing the winning team, Leyte and Renegar to conquer over the other team, in 50 minutes total time.

“In the very beginning when we had to jump up without hand contact or holding the plate was probably the hardest part of the competition,” Renegar said.

With sun, embarrassment and sweat aside, Leyte, who claimed an 8G iPod Touch, and Renegar, who chose a black 8G iPod nano plus a $50 iTunes gift card, both with a $199 value, were excited to be this semester’s iPod Kiss-a-thon’s winners.

Students at the Irvine campus partake in the free pizza that was offered to them at the Pizza with the Dean event held on March 16. Photo by Alison Munson/Daily Titan Staff Writer

Four large pizzas and three 12-pack sodas lined a long brown table in the Cal State Fullerton Irvine campus’s Titan Student Union at 5:30 p.m. The air-conditioned room was calm; students studied independently, some cramming for a quiz while others browsed the Internet on one of the 10 computers that lined the walls.

It was the kind of quiet that settles right before a storm. At 5:45 p.m. a pack of hungry students wiped out the buffet of pizzas and in approximately 30 minutes; only two pieces remained of the 11 pizzas that were provided by the Associated Student’s Inc. for the Pizza with the Dean event held Tuesday.

“Student’s kind of come in groups,” Irvine Campus Dean Susan Cooper said with a laugh. “Usually the pizza will last until 6:30, but today it didn’t.”

Cooper set aside one hour of her time to participate in the Pizza with the Dean event to get to know the students that she represents. The program began running this year at the Irvine campus, she said.

“I thought it was a good opportunity to sit with students and actually hear what they have to say, give them an opportunity to ask me questions or issues that they have and talk to me about it,” she said.

The event was held as an open forum with Cooper sitting in a chair near enough to be seen but relaxed enough to avoid an authoritative presence. Students were able to grab a bite to eat, and on the way to satisfying their hunger, Cooper was there for friendly conversation.

“I just go down and I sit in one of the big chairs so it looks like I’m sitting in the Santa Chair,” she said. “They can just come in and shake my hand and sit down and talk … it’s just a time for people to say what’s on their mind.”

Most students that appeared for the event grabbed the food before hurrying off to class or their study groups. Cooper was pleased with the turnout and the content of her conversations. One of the goals for the event was to act as a meet-and greet, she said.

“I think the core value of it is for (the students) to see the dean visibly on the campus, to see the dean as a person,” Cooper said. “Students don’t usually meet the dean… It’s kind of a chance for them to talk to a person who can find something out for them or make a decision or give them an answer that they haven’t been able to get before if they’ve been wondering why something is the way it is.”

The informality of the Irvine campus creates a sense of trust and reliability, Cooper said.

Students like Nathaniel McRoberts, a 22-year-old junior accounting major at the Irvine campus, were unaware of the program but appreciative of its intentions.

“I don’t really do much in the way of events and stuff on the campus,” he said. “I think it’s good that she’s trying to get to know students at a more personal level. (If I were to talk to her) it would be just to talk.”

Other students recognized the goals and, though they didn’t speak with Cooper, felt the effects of the event.

“Now that I’ve seen her I know what she looks like. Before I would have had no idea who she was,” Allison Worthy, a 23-year-old junior communications major at the Irvine campus said. “It’s nice that she’s making herself more accessible to everybody.”

For students who go to the Irvine campus just to take care of business and who aren’t interested in traditional campus activities, administration still wants them to feel like they are welcome and that they belong, Cooper said.

“I’m happy to talk with them,” she added. “I want to know what their concerns are. We’re all about making this campus better for them.”

Republican party gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman. Photo courtesy of MCT

Republican party gubernatorial candidates Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman debated Monday at the Samueli Theater at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

“It gives people an idea what the candidates are about and what they are saying,” said Dr. Gregory Brown, an assistant professor of criminal justice.

Whitman and Poizner tackled spending restructuring, higher education expenditures and immigration reform.

“The governor will have an impact on our education or state deficit,” said philosophy major Nick Heartmann.

Poizner said he wanted to invest more into higher education by creating more jobs and bring back vocational programs to high schools to decrease drop out rates.

Additionally, Whitman said she wanted to reform the spending problem and re-invest into the University of California and Cal State University systems.

“The UC system, the CSU system and the community college system is the gem of California,” Whitman said.

Whitman also talked of cutting spending on administration and overhead, devoting the funds to the local schools. Her agenda included making schools more transparent and providing a letter grade for parents to identify the condition and qualities of the local schools.

“We need someone that is for change and for the people of California,” Brown said. “Students need an education.”

The two candidates also debated the immigration situation that has long been a hot-button issue among Californians.

On Whitman’s list of items are plans to instill a more strict and thorough version of E-Verify to hold employers accountable for illegal immigrant hiring practices. She said that she also plans on taking initiative towards sanctuary cities and boosting spending on border patrol and equipment.

“Let me be clear, I am a hundred percent against amnesty. No exception,” Whitman said.

Poizner vows to take a more “radical approach” and cut off the taxpayer-funded programs that help illegal immigrants. By doing so, he plans to eliminate the incentive for illegal immigrants to come to California.

Republican party gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner. Photo courtesy of MCT

He also criticized Whitman’s approach. Her approach, Poinzer said, is already in effect through the current state leadership and has brought forth no solution.

Both candidates have established their campaign on reaching out to those who have been victimized through job loss and the current disastrous economic situation. They also appealed to voters by regulating California government spending and generating private sector jobs.

“You are only as good as the people you work for,” said Whitman, referring to how government works. “You have to have the right people on your agenda”.

Poizner elaborated on his more “radical” agenda for California.

“I want to change the state of California by implementing some bold and sweeping reforms,” Poizner said.

These candidates face the daunting task of winning a state that is more than two-thirds of registered voters are democrats.

The Irvine campus is currently holding a food drive to support the participants of the Families Forward program, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to empowering families that have fallen into financial instability.

“I feel that it is our responsibility to take care of (people),” said Reneir Cruz, 26, a senior advertising major taking classes at the Irvine campus. “Just put ourselves in their shoes, meaning, if we were in their shoes, we’d want someone to take care of us.”

Food drives are a small portion of what Families Forward does to facilitate self-sufficiency in families. The organization has supported housing programs called “transitional homes,” back to school-assistance, career-coaching and life-skills counseling, all geared toward re-establishing families into their community.

For Robert Flores, the organization hits close to home. For a short time his family was a participant in the Families Forward programs.

“I’ve always given back to the organization because I believe strongly in their cause,” Flores said.

It was Flores who approached Families Forward in 2002 in search of a way to give back and ended up organizing the bi-annual food drives that go straight to what is called the “Food Pantry.”

“They serve a lot of families, and in order to keep their food bank full, they rely heavily on donations,” Flores said.

The Food Pantry is entirely dependent on what they receive from individuals and businesses to serve more than 150 families a week, he said. The Irvine campus donates approximately two to three boxes per drive but hopes to collect as many as 10, and with three weeks left to donate, there is still more time to accomplish that goal, Flores said.

“This food helps them to cover other monthly costs and regain financial stability,” he said.

Many of the families assisted by the program are homeless or near homelessness. Job loss, divorce and medical emergencies are among the top reasons why people end up out of their homes and into the streets, according to the Families Forward Web site. Mental illness and drug abuse account for only a small fraction of the homeless population.

“We live in a wonderfully rich country and it’s surprising that we do have homeless people or people that are really in need,” said Stephen Messina, 52, junior, finance major on the Irvine campus. “Somehow I just feel like it’s something that doesn’t need to be or something that should be really easily curable. We don’t see too many homeless people in Irvine. We’re just not really affected.”

Homelessness has become stereotyped, said Vanessa Gonzalez, 24, a graduate student enrolled in the Master’s of Business program at the Irvine campus.

“Sadly, I mean you wanna help them out and you wanna give them money, but there’s this stereotype that they’re just gonna take the money and use it for something else,” Gonzalez said.

Cruz agreed. “(Sometimes) I felt that it was just something they were doing on the side, I felt like just from their attire I could tell that they weren’t homeless. Most of the time I give the benefit of the doubt … and do my best to share as much compassion as possible.”

Though students are willing to help, many don’t know about the program or its cause, not even Gonzalez.

“If there’s enough information out there about what the food drive is for and whose gonna receive the items for the food drive, then they can know and feel that they’re gonna help out a good cause,” Gonzalez said. “But there has to be that information out there.”

Flores urges students to help any way they can and to commit to community service. Families Forward’s goal is to protect the innocent victims of circumstance, mainly the children of struggling families.

“Some people assume because the Irvine campus is in the city of Irvine … that there isn’t a need for services like Families Forward or food drives,” Flores said. “That belief is completely false. I hope students gain an awareness about their community and leave with the passion to continue their good efforts. Community service shouldn’t be a one day or one week event. It should be a lifetime plan and commitment.”

Although donating food seems like a small act and that not much can come out of it, the experience gives students a way to be a good person and do what’s right, Messina said.

“I think you can take away probably nothing much more than a great feeling of helping, doing something constructive or positive in the world,” Messina said. “You can walk away feeling like you did something good, like you made a difference in your small way.”

There are 26 transitional homes that the Food Pantry provides for. According to its annual report, 44 families were served last year and 83 of those family members were children.

At this time, the Food Pantry is looking for dried and canned foods, such as canned fruits, canned chicken and beef, boxed juice, canned or dried soup, rice and pasta. Donations can be made at the Irvine campus in Room IRVC-101 until March 26.