SDSU Exhibition inspires us to rise above
By Kristin Kjaero
 
March 4, 2010 (San Diego) – Who hasn’t dreamed of flying?
 
Seize the Sky explores this archetypal image in women’s lives across cultures and generations, to rise above circumstance and make their own destiny in the metaphorical and literal freedom of the sky.
 
Simone Aaberg Kærn, known in Denmark both as artist and feminist, will be in town to participate in Art, Aviation and Achievement: An International Symposium on Women’s Rights on Wednesday March 10 at 6:30 p.m. in SDSU’s Hardy Tower 140. A reception will follow from 8:30 – 10:00 p.m. at the University Art Gallery. The exhibition and events are free and open to the public.

1970-2010: Forty Years of Community Activism, Scholarly Excellence and International Programming


March 4, 2010 (San Diego) – March is women's history month.  However, the women’s studies department at San Diego State University plans a year-long celebration  to commemorate  its 40th anniversary.  

Upcoming events include:

March 2, 2010 (SDSU) – Four reported sexual assaults have occurred in the San Diego State University area in the past two weeks, including one case where the suspect reportedly broke in to the victim’s home. In addition, a man was robbed at gunpoint and another was beaten during a robbery on campus.

 
February 4, 2010 (San Diego) – San Diego State’s Department of Africana Studies is partnering with campus cultural groups and the Department of Music and Dance to present a series of social and education events in February honoring Black History Month. Upcoming events include films, lectures, jazz concerts, a convention, dinner, Black History Bowl, and a parade  Schedule and details:
 
 

January 27, 2010 (San Diego) -- Smith Recital Hall at San Diego State University will feature sounds of gospel music as SDSU hosts the second annual GospelFest on Sunday, Jan. 31.  Kicking off Black History Month in February, the event features groups from across San Diego County. The free event starts at 4 p.m. and is open to the public.

December 18, 2009 (San Diego) - The ACLU says San Diego State University has delivered an "empty Christmas present", turning over incomplete records in response to a public documents request.  Now the ACLU has sent a demand letter on behalf of the Education Consortium demanding full disclosure. 

December 18, 2009 (San Diego) – High school juniors, seniors and sophomores who are recommended by a vocal or choir teacher are eligible to enter the Schmidt Youth Vocal Competition at San Diego State University on January 30th, where competitors will vie for a top prize of $2,000. Applications must be received by January 15th.

  

 
 
 
 
 
 
November 30, 2009 -- East County Roundup includes the most important stories about San Diego's eastern regions, or stories relevant to our readers, that are published by other media. Top stories from the past month include:
 
  

• Bilbray Billing Bilbray: North County Congress member pays his wife from campaign coffers
  
• SD Retailers Pleased with Early Black Friday Results
  
• 70% of Local Sex Offenders Live Too Close to Parks, Schools
  
• Thrift Store to Leave Downtown El Cajon
  
• Anderson Defends Mailer Touting Bill
  
• 'They're Looking at Impending Doom' - If California exacts the worst possible cuts on schools, San Diego Unified literally has no idea how it can balance its budget.
  
• Bankruptcy an Option, Says Mayor's Fiscal Task Force
  
• Cuyamaca College Names Its New President
  
• San Diego State Athletic Director Jeff Schemmel Resigns Amid Controversy
  
• Potrero Preschool Reopens After 2007 Harris Fire

SDSU’s own internal documents reveal that the true purpose of many of the strategies we have seen over the past decade—from dual admission in 2002 to the current requirement that students apply to a major or pre-major—is “so we can ‘deny’ more locals access….”

By Pat Washington, PhD

October 31, 2009 (San Diego)--Approximately two weeks before the application period for San Diego State University (SDSU) began, President Stephen Weber announced that, among other things, the budget crisis forced the university to eliminate the local student guaranteed admissions policy. The policy guaranteed admissions priority to CSU-eligible students in the SDSU service area. However, SDSU’s claims that changes to its admissions policy are driven by the state budget crisis don’t hold up under scrutiny.

By Miriam Raftery

October 25, 2009 (San Diego) – Students from San Diego State University, high school marching bands and other community participants relished some pre-Halloween revelry in the BOO! Parade yesterday.

From floats such as a giant black cat to cars draped with spiderwebs, parade participants showed their Halloween spirit. SDSU’s homecoming king and queen led a procession of cheerleaders, some turning cartwheels down the street. A drum majorette marched in front of Aztec band members clad in spooky and kooky costumes. Flappers, mermaids and vampires mingled with ghosts, ghouls and goblins. 

October 15, 2009 (San Diego) – Assemblyman Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) will hold a hearing October 20 on SDSU President Stephen Weber’s recent announcement to suspend guaranteed enrollment for local students.

“As chair of the Select Committee on K-16 Articulation, Access and Affordability, I have called a hearing to examine this issue in detail and to accept testimony on the merits of this policy change,” Block wrote in an e-mail to constituents."

San Diego (October 11, 2009)—The San Diego branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is reacting strongly against San Diego State University’s (SDSU) recent decision to eliminate the guaranteed admissions policy for local students who meet CSU eligibility criteria. The University’s new admissions policy will cap local enrollment in the incoming freshman class at 37%; it will also further restrict access to local community college graduates whose admission has already been severely impacted by repeated policy changes over the past decade, the NAACP says.

by SDSU President Stephen L. Weber
 

Sept. 21, 2009 (San Diego) -- As  a direct result of devastating state budget cuts of $571 million, the California State University is reducing enrollment system-wide this year and next by 40,000 undergraduate students. Over the same period, San Diego State will be reducing its enrollment by 4,588 undergraduates.

September 23, 2009 – In response to “devastating budget cuts”, San Diego State University President Stephen L. Weber announced that SDSU will cut enrollment by 10.8%, or 4,588 undergraduate students. In addition, the school will make changes to its admissions policy for incoming fall 2010 freshmen and transfer students. The announcement has sparked concerns and criticisms from community leaders.
 

“These changes are a direct result of devastating state budget cuts of $571 million to the California State University System and SDSU,” Weber wrote in an e-mail sent to faculty members yesterday.

Public letter to Charles B. Reed, Chancellor and Board of Trustees, California State University

"We concur that SDSU is once again pursuing a strategy of “discouraging” local students from enrolling at the campus. This discouragement had been one of the well kept secrets on the campus. ...By closing the door to many of these youngsters the University and CSU will perpetuate the educational inequality that has plagued women in our society. "

-- W.A.G.E. (We Advocate Gender Equality)

 
September 19, 2009 (San Diego)--Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego)  announced that a $299,993 Recovery Act grant has been awarded to San Diego State University (SDSU) Research Foundation through the U.S. Department of Energy. Funds will be used for a web-based carbon dioxide (CO2) subsurface modeling project and will create training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to develop skills for implementing and deploying carbon capture and storage technologies. 
 
“If we are serious about cutting greenhouse gas emissions, then we need trained scientists to find ways to limit carbon emissions from coal-fired utilities,” said Filner. “This funding for SDSU carbon capture research is the key to making so-called ‘clean coal’ a potential reality.”

 
September 4, 2009 – A car struck a pedestrian on Westbound Interstate 8 at College Avenue, near San Diego State University, at 12:49 a.m. One person has been declared dead on arrival. The victim’s name has not been released pending notification of relatives.
 
In a separate incident, racing vehicles crashed in the Southbound land of I-15 near Adams Avenue at 10:19 p.m. last night, sending debris flying which struck a car in the northbound lanes. A patient was treated for major injuries at the scene of what authorities describe as a major accident. No details are available at this hour.

July 7, 2009 (San Diego)--A new chapter was added to the history books at San Diego State University on July 1. The arena on the SDSU campus has been known as Cox Arena ever since it opened its doors 1997. But Wednesday, the name officially changed to Viejas Arena.
 

May 26, 2009 (San Diego)--Tomorrow, Congressman Bob Filner is hosting a Veterans Town Hall at San Diego State University (SDSU) to publicly discuss the impact of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill on our veterans. Congress passed legislation to significantly expand the educational benefits for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The Department of Veterans Affairs recently began accepting applications for these benefits.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION DECLARES PHASE 5 EPIDEMIC

April 29, 2009 (San Diego)—Eight cases of people infected with swine influenza have been confirmed in San Diego County, confirms Tom Christensen, Health & Human Services media spokesman. Details on new cases will be released later today. Several other local cases are suspected, including an SDSU student. President Barack Obama today said that schools with an infected student should close down, raising the possibility that SDSU could shut down shortly before final exams scheduled May 4-8.

GREEN JOBS FAIR AT SDSU AND A GREEN CITY LEADERSHIP FORUM ARE NEW THIS YEAR; EARTH FAIR KICKS OFF WEEK'S ECO-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES April 17, 2009 (San Diego)—Earth Day Week in San Diego kicks off with Earth Fair 2009 in Balboa Park on Sunday, drawing more than 70,000 visitors. Produced by 400 volunteers, EarthFair features more than 400 exhibitors, special theme areas, a Food Pavilion, a special Kids’ Activity Area, three entertainment venues, the Children’s Earth Parade, the Earth Gallery art show, and the Cleaner Car Concourse. Details: http://www.earthdayweb.org/EarthFair.html

Viejas invests in a gem By Jamie Reno Exclusive for East County Magazine March 23, 2009 (San Diego)--As a wide-eyed young journalism student making my way across the San Diego State University campus for the first time in the Fall of 1984, I was energized by the thought that I was about to attend a top-notch J school and at the same time get the opportunity to watch some high-quality Division One college basketball. I'd previously played one unspectacular year of baseball at a city college and my competitive athletic days were pretty much done. I was ready now to just be a red-and-black-blooded fan of Aztecs sports, especially basketball. I already had a severe case of March Madness, and it was only September.

March 19, 2009 (San Diego)--San Diego State University's women's basketball team, the Aztecs, will play in the NCAA Basketball Championships for the first time since 1997 and the seventh time in the team's history. The team will face off against DePaul University's Blue Demons at 5 p.m. at Cox Arena on Saturday.
 

March 17, 2009 (San Diego)--The on campus sports and entertainment venue at San Diego State University will be renamed Viejas Arena, under a new agreement between the university and the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, the two announced today. "We're very pleased that the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, who are such an important member of the San Diego community, has decided to partner with us," said SDSU President Stephen L. Weber. "SDSU's arena is one of the top sports and entertainment venues in San Diego County. We believe Viejas will help add to the arena's success into the future."

Review By Kathy Carpenter

Now Playing: Feb. 20--27 at 8 p.m., Feb..28 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m,, and March 1 at 2p.m.
Experimental Theatre SDSU: Tickets $18-$20; ticket info:(619) 594-6884 or theatre.sdsu.edu

Musical of Musicals, with music by Eric Rockwell and lyrics by Joanne Bogart, is a delight for all fans of musical theatre.

This Musical, or I should say its five Musical vignettes, all share the same theme: You must pay the rent! But I can't pay the rent! Leary of how a basic plot like this could be entertaining, I was totally surprised.