Happiness does not come with a price tag Opinion p. 5 See online: Wednesday SPARTAN DAILY LibraryLib evacuated October 5, 2011 Hornets swarm Spartans Sports p. 4 Volume 137, Issue 21 SpartanDaily.com Increasing SJ gang A Clean Slate activity prompts UPD campus alert Over the past 18 months, San Jose has Crimes increase south of seen a spike in gang activity. campus; police cite regular “There have always been spikes in gang activities,” Sgt. Manuel fluctuation in frequency Aguayo of the UPD said. “It’s a generational thing … it's cyclical.” by Chris Marian Staff Writer Homicides per 3.5 100,000 people per year On the night of Saturday, Sept. 24, in San Jose residents of the 500 block of South 3.0 All homicides 10th Street awoke to the sounds of gunfi re ringing out into the night, as 2.5 police said rival gangs clashed once 2.0 more for territory and respect in the neighborhoods southwest of the SJSU 1.5 campus. Gang-related Police arriving on the scene se- 1.0 cured one wounded suspect and cap- homicides 0.5 tured another — the rest fl ed south 20062007 2008 2009 2010 Dulce Alvarez, a San Jose Conservation Corps intern, The Conservation Corp has been working with the with a San Jose Police Department dumps recyclables into a bin on Wednesday, Sept. 28 City of San Jose to advance its zero-waste policy. SWAT team on their heels, according 80 Gang-related crimes per outside of Clark Hall. Alvarez has been working as a The corps has been in existence since 1987. to SJPD. 100,000 people per year corps intern since July after being assigned to SJSU. Photo by Jack Barnwell / Spartan Daily 70 Four days later, on Sept. 28, the Violent in San Jose University Police Department issued a 60 Gang Crime San Jose Conservation when she was charged and sent to jail. with maintaining and collecting from campus safety advisory warning stu- 50 Weapons Cases Aft er she was released, she re- the recycling bins around campus. dents of an apparent increase in gang Corps offers a second membered her sister recommend- “Th ey give students a second activity in the neighborhoods south 40 ing the San Jose Conservation Corps chance to get a (high school) diplo- and west of campus, and advising stu- 30 Felonious Gang Assaults chance to those in need Charter School. ma,” said Dulce Alvarez, 20, one of the dents to exercise caution when travel- 20 “Th ey are strict,” she said of the interns. ing through these areas aft er dark. by Cynthia Ly organization’s policies toward gang- Alvarez said she started her intern- Incidents involving firearms Th ere has been a spate of violent 10 Staff Writer related activities. ship at SJSU in July aft er graduating Gang-related homicides gang encounters in the last month, 0 20062007 2008 2009 2010 Th e school is a major part of the from the conservation corps’ charter and UPD felt it was time to warn stu- Before Melissa Avalos enrolled San Jose Conservation Corps, which school. dents about the trend, Sgt. Manuel at the San Jose Conservation Corps is one of 13 state certifi ed corps fo- Th e internship also includes a sti- Aguayo of UPD said. About the San Jose Charter School, she did not have a cused on helping at-risk youths ages pend that pays for her courses and “It was an advisory to make stu- Police Department high school diploma. 17 to 24 through education and com- supplies at Evergreen Valley College, dents aware of the climate south of 38-member metro unit dedicated “I dropped out of school when I munity service. she said. 100 percent to gang enforcement; campus,” Aguayo said of the warning. was 13 years old,” Avalos said. “Litt le by litt le, I’m building what I Th e corps is partnered with the Th ere was gang brawl at a McDon- also tracks gangs in all 16 districts of She said she started working using have,” Avalos said. “I didn’t have a car, city of San Jose and the East Side San Jose; all but the airport have alds on South Th ird Street over the gang presence fake papers, abused drugs and was ar- now I have a truck. I didn’t have my Union High School District to col- summer; a mystery shooting at 10th rested for possession of a stolen ve- license, now I have my license.” lect and sort recyclables, such as cans, Source: San Jose Police Department and San Carlos streets early in the se- website crime statistics; Interviews hicle. SJSU hired two interns from the mester that police believe was gang- with Sgt. Manuel Aguayo of the UPD Avalos said she was already 18 San Jose Conservation Corps to help SEE CORPS PAGE 2 related; a shooting at First and Willow and SJPD Sgt. Jason Dwyer streets on Sept. 18th; a stabbing at Seventh and Reed streets on the 19th; gangs are att empting to claim. and fi nally the gunfi ght on 10th Street “Th ere have always been spikes Funds for MUSE courses evaporate on Sept. 24. in gang activities,” Aguayo said. Acts of violence aren’t the only “It’s a generational thing … it’s cy- indicators of an increasing gang pres- clical.” by Christina Molina Fall 2002, was among other programs which approves all general education ence in the area, Aguayo said. As previous generations of gang Staff Writer within a broader category known as courses. “Property crimes are up in the veterans are caught or run out of First Year Experience, with the same Th is complex process is one of the neighborhood,” Aguayo said. town by law enforcement, there is a Th e MUSE program, general educa- concept of transition for freshmen, many reasons why the MUSE program He said gangs use home and car general dip in gang crimes until the tion classes designed to help freshmen according to Stephen Branz, associ- is no longer in eff ect, Branz said. burglaries as a primary source of rev- younger generation become strong adapt to college aft er high school, has ate dean of curriculum and director of “Th ere is an approval process for enue, along with drug dealing, and an enough to make their presence felt been discontinued because of budget general education. all G.E. courses and every MUSE class increase in these kinds of crimes can again, Aguayo said. cuts and lack of cooperation from a “When MUSE was fi rst passed, it has to be a G.E. course as well,” he said. be used as an indirect indicator of SJPD Sgt. Jason Dwyer said number of departments, according to was not a permanent category,” Branz “Th ere is a normal approval process gang presence. a large spike in gang homicides offi cials. said. “It was going to be temporary un- and MUSE had a diff erent process for Graffi ti is another good indicator of earlier this year was successfully “It wasn’t that MUSE (Metropolitan til FYE came into place.” approval and I think there were a lot gang presence, Aguayo said. stamped down when large numbers University Scholar’s Experience) was Ultimately, each department within of people in the university and in the “Th ere has been a big increase in of offi cers were, in response, re- canceled, it just faded away,” said Den- SJSU decides whether to include First governments for the university who graffi ti all around campus and in the tasked to gang enforcement. nis Jaehne, associate vice president of Year Experience into their curricula, didn’t think this was fair.” neighborhoods around campus,” he “We have a 38-member metro undergraduate studies. Branz said. Branz said there is nothing prevent- said. unit that is 100 percent all-the-time Instead, the university is imple- Changes in the process of incor- ing MUSE courses in policy, but they Th e city of San Jose is very aggres- gang enforcement,” Dwyer said. menting a reduced number of classes porating FYE in general education did not happen because departments sive about removing graffi ti, he said, Entire gangs can vanish under for fi rst-semester freshmen through courses also create obstacles for de- have chosen not to do them. but its constant appearance in certain the pressure of police anti-gang task the program First Year Experience. partments to approve, according to During Fall 2011 enrollment, a areas is an indicator of areas which forces, only to be resurrected years “Th e departments (within SJSU) got Maureen Scharberg, associate vice handful of courses were marked with later by the few remaining veterans premium funding for allowing profes- president of Student Academic Success the lett er “Q,” indicating that the class who have escaped police or been sors to teach MUSE classes,” Jaehne Services. met the criteria as a First Year Expe- View exclusive stories and multimedia at released from prison, Aguayo said. said. “Th ere was no more premium Th e approval of FYE courses is de- rience course by university policy, spartandaily.com Older gang veterans then begin funding for MUSE, causing the pro- cided by the Undergraduate Studies Scharberg said. recruiting fresh members from lo- gram to fade out.” Committ ee with recommendations cal middle schools and high schools, MUSE, which was introduced in from the Board of General Studies, SEE MUSE PAGE 2 using the enticements of money, prestige and pop-culture glamour to prey on desperate and disenfran- chised adolescents, he said. A sample listing of MUSE classes no longer available Aguayo said he grew up in a tough East Bay neighborhood, and ANTH 96KQ BUS4 96FQ ENGL 96LQ PHIL 96FQ PSYC 96PQ t Twitter: @spartandaily 66˚ thus knows these patt erns well. Samurai, Poets, and Master of My Own What Dreams May Deathlore: Becoming a Jedi: f facebook.com/spartandaily 52˚ He said he believes the area is see- Tea Masters Universe: Come: The Influence Stories of Horror in Success at SJSU ing this kind of growth in the areas Leading Myself of Dreams in Art, Film, Philosophy, and Spartan Daily around campus. “Th e majority of the gangs in San Music, and Literature Folklore Serving San José State University since 1934 Volume 137 / Issue 21 SEE GANGS PAGE 2 Source: MUSE Catalog of Seminars, Fall 2010 via its website 2 NEWS Spartan Daily Wednesday, October 5, 2011 CORPS: Advancing S.J. zero waste efforts SpartaGuide FROM PAGE 1 cling bins. bott les, mixed paper and card- Garcia said the situation Well U Dance Workshop: Garba board, said Stefani Blanco, a with unauthorized recyclers is Indian Student Organization sophomore business major and diffi cult to deal with. the corps’ recycling program “Do you let that guy take a Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 assistant. bag of recycling so he can eat or 12 to 1 p.m. She said the organization re- do you protect your business?” ports the amount they collect to she said. Washington Square Hall 201 the city every month. Th e San Jose Conservation “Th at goes to the zero-waste Corps, its charter school and bott om line that the city is various programs are funded by Jive and Samba Dance Lessons trying to reach for special the recyclables its staff collects, events,” said Gina Garcia, an donations, and federal grants Ballroom Dance Club SJSU graduate and deputy di- such as reentry grants, Garcia Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 rector of the San Jose Conser- said. vation Corps. Organizations can use reen- 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Th e city of San Jose has a try grants to provide released Spartan Complex room 89 goal to reach 100 percent zero prisoners educational and vo- waste by 2022, according to its cational opportunities, accord- Green Vision website. ing to the National Reentry Garcia said the corps works Resource Center, which was Honors Program Reunion at large events around San Jose, established by the U.S. Depart- SJSU Humanities Honors Program such as the Sharks’ games at ment of Justice. Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 the HP Pavilion and Music in Th e San Jose Conservation the Park. Corps received $490,230 in 2010 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. When asked about unau- from CalGRIP, a 2007 state ini- San Jose Conservation Corps student George Ramirez rearranges re- Fourth floor of Clark Hall thorized recyclers, Garcia said tiative created to reduce and cycling bins for stacking prior to the end of his shift at the corps’ Berger Road facility on Friday, Sept. 23. Photo by Jack Barnwell / Spartan Daily they are an industrywide prob- prevent gang violence. lem. “We work with people be- to accept our students, to give time in jail. Th e San Jose Conservation fore they come out of jail,” Gar- them a chance, to give them “Some kids or students or Difficult Dialogues: Environmental Issues at SJSU Corps gained some notoriety cia said. jobs,” Garcia said. corps members or whatever Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011 on SJSU campus in August She said the students who Melissa Avalos, now 24, said don’t know how to take advan- when 75-year-old Mariano Her- att end the charter school need her family and the San Jose tage of what the corps brings,” 3 to 4:30 p.m. nandez was arrested for taking support on a greater scale. Conservation Corps helped get she said. “If you want to come Clark Hall 547 cans and bott les from the recy- “We need the community her life back together aft er her here, it’s to change.”

Sci 002: Success in Science. Alway has been a peer mentor Alway said. “We have expand- Want to be a Global Citizen? MUSE: Classes Th e Academic Senate ap- since August 2010 and was told ed our hours in the center and SJSU Salzburg Program proved specifi c classes within that Fall 2010 would be the last have hired more peer mentors.” G.E. courses that serve as First semester the Peer Mentor Cen- Although there is no specifi c Wednesday, Oct.12 discontinued Year Experience for freshmen, ter would be working with the program that links peer men- 12 to 1:30 p.m. Jaehne said. MUSE program. tors to courses for freshmen in “We already teach G.E. class- “MUSE was the best thing their fi rst semester, she said the Engineering Building rooms 285/287 FROM PAGE 1 es, so if we can just get them the peer mentors did,” Alway Peer Mentor Center continues She said Area E of general (departments) to integrate First said. “Th e best work we do is to work with professors who education is not FYE approved Year Experience, it makes the in the classroom with a small want mentors to work closely but was highly recommended class that much more valuable,” group of students that we get to with their students. for freshmen to take this fall he said. know throughout the semester.” “Th e downfall is that we because it dealt with human de- Aside from off ering courses She said the MUSE program miss working with that specifi c velopment and understanding. to help freshmen through their being cut was sad, but has program,” Alway said. “But we SpartaGuide is provided to students, staff and faculty, free of charge. The dead- Some of these courses in- transition state, each MUSE found some positive outcomes still maintain a great level of line to submit is at noon, three working days prior to desired publication date. clude Comm 74Q: Fundamen- class was assigned a peer men- from the situation. prestige. If we want to enter a Entry forms are available in Spartan Daily, DBH 209. Send emails to spartandai- [email protected] titled “SpartaGuide.” Space restrictions may require tals of Intercultural Commu- tor to acquaint and assist fi rst- “We’ve become more fo- classroom, we have a good re- editing or exclusion of submissions. Entry is not guaranteed. Entries are printed nication, Psych 002Q: Identity semester students. cused on helping the individu- lationship with professors and in order of which they are received. Development and Prejudice and Senior English major Lisa als in the Peer Mentor Center,” they are happy to have us.” GANGS: Police respond to crime @ Your Library increase with safety advisory FROM PAGE 1 adolescents and wannabes. lived both at 10th and St. John Th e problem in dealing with streets, and at 5th and Reed Jose are gangs that have been San Jose gangs from an en- streets, and has seen her share around for generations,” Dwyer forcement standpoint, Dwyer of drug dealers and other shady said. said, is the diffi culty in pinning characters at each. Dwyer said he worked in them down. “It’s sad because it’s really gang enforcement for several Although San Jose gangs not that bad downtown, it’s years and knows the city’s will defend their nominal “ter- just bad late at night,” she said. gangs well. ritories” if their criminal en- Like most students inter- “San Jose gangs diff er from terprises are threatened, they viewed, senior business major L.A. gangs in a lot of ways,” are far more interested in look- Ron Buena said he didn’t know said Dwyer. ing for fi ghts with their rivals, about the gang violence, but Th e most active gangs in wherever they may be, he said. had heard plenty about rob- San Jose are part and the larg- San Jose gangs hunt one an- beries and other pett y crimes er Norteño and Sureño gangs, other throughout the city, and in the neighborhoods south of Dwyer said. members from any one gang campus. Th e Norteños and Sureños, could potentially be found in UPD is more than willing or “Northerners” and “South- any part of the city, said Dwyer. to provide escorts for students walking alone at night within The code in the new generation of two blocks of campus, Aguayo “ gangs is much, much different said. Beyond that, he recom- than the older gangs. mended avoiding making ” yourself an att ractive target - Sgt. Manuel Aguayo of UPD for robbery by hiding you valu- ables, particularly money and erners,” trace their roots back “It’s prett y spread out, all phones, and always trying to to a 1960s culture clash be- over the city,” he said. “Th e walk in groups on the bett er lit tween established Mexican misconception is that East San streets. immigrants, the Norteños, and Jose has all the gangs. Th ere are Most gang violence is di- the new wave of Mexican im- sixteen districts in this city, and rected at other gangs, and they migrants coming up from the every one of them except the typically only att ack bystand- south, the Sureños, Dwyer ex- airport has gangs.” ers if they get in the way or plained. Despite this, there are his- have something they want to Th ese gangs began and are toric hotspots, Dwyer said. steal, Aguayo said. But times still largely headquartered in “10th and William, you’re may be changing, he said. the California state prison sys- looking at a hotspot,” Dwyer “Th e code in the new gen- tem, he said. said. eration of gangs is much, much Th e Norteños and Sureños Th e neighborhoods around diff erent than the older gangs,” are not specifi c to San Jose, campus, particularly to the he said, referring to an unof- Dwyer said, but are endemic south, have had gang vio- fi cial code of conduct among to all of California and the lence in the past, but are bett er older gangs theoretically pro- American Southwest in gen- known among interviewed stu- hibiting att acks on bystand- eral. dents for their levels of pett y ers. “With the new generation, Bakersfi eld is a commonly crime. there is more of a sense of en- accepted dividing line between “I used to live downtown on titlement.” the gangs, said Dwyer. Sixth Street, there was a gang Aguayo said he fears San Remembertoalwayscarryyour In San Jose, Dwyer said, there shooting there on Halloween Jose gangs may someday are about a dozen major gangs once,” senior advertising major evolve into something simi- TowerCard&LibraryCardto operating at any one time, and Jennifer Giles said. lar in behavior to the Oakland ensurestudentlibraryprivileges! many more smaller, short-lived, Audrey Ford, a molecular gangs, for whom anyone is fair gangs made up of less serious biology senior, said she has game. Wednesday, October 5, 2011 Spartan Daily NEWS 3 Law schools nationwide show drop-off in student applications

McClatchy Tribune ternet is ‘Don’t go to law school.’ But I Wire Service have to be confi dent that this is right for me, and that there are lots of people MINNEAPOLIS — Law school is no and alumni who want to help.” longer a sure bet, and would-be stu- During the recession, more people dents are noticing. applied to law school, according to Th e swell of students applying to the Law School Admission Council. law school — despite growing debt But then for fall 2011, the number of and contracting job prospects — has applications nationwide dropped 9.9 slowed. Prospective students have read percent, according to the Law School the bad news, are asking tougher ques- Admission Council, to the lowest to- tions and, more oft en, are declining to tal number in at least nine years. Th e apply. number of people taking the LSAT Admissions offi cers say that’s not took a dive. a bad thing: Th e students starting this “It is possible that many people fall are more “focused.” took the LSAT then to see if law school “Frankly, for many years, there would be a reasonable way to wait out were many students who went to law the recession,” said Wendy Margolis, school because they didn’t know what the council’s spokeswoman. “But as to do,” said Cari Haaland, assistant news about the declining job market dean of admissions for the University for law school graduates spread, fewer of St. Th omas School of Law. “Now, people did that.” prospective students are thinking more “Th e ones that do apply really want critically about the decision.” to be there,” said Nick Wallace, the Th ere’s evidence demand will shrink University of Minnesota admissions further. New data show a dramatic 18.7 director. “Th ey’re not just applying on First-year law student Terran Chambers studies in the law end-of-year exams than the job market for new lawyers. She percent decline in the number of stu- a whim or as an escape route from the library at the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis. Cham- also passed on Harvard Law School to keep her school costs bers says she spends her time studying and worrying about down. Photo by Renee Jones Schneider / MCT dents who took the Law School Admis- real world.” sion Test this summer compared to the But the size of an applicant pool same time last year. doesn’t always translate to the size of more students with mentors and pre- of law school now … so the picture is to students, they’re also consumers, Th e job market for law school grad- an incoming class. Even with fewer senting career services earlier in the even bleaker.” and they’re making an amazingly im- uates is the worst it’s been since the applicants, St. Th omas enrolled three process. Yet even that 15-year low “conceals portant investment.” mid-1990s. Both the employment rate more students than it did last year. “We’ve always had a strong pres- a number of negative trends in the job Terran Chambers, 21, is in the midst and the starting salary fell dramatically About 3,500 people applied to be a part ence at admissions events,” said Nancy market,” the report stated. Only 68.4 of the constant reading and outlining for the class of 2010, new reports by the of the University of Minnesota’s class Lochner, director of career services for percent of graduates who reported that is the life of a fi rst-year law stu- National Association for Law Place- starting this fall, compared to 2,700 in Hamline Law School.”But there’s may- their employment had a job for which dent: “It’s a whole new level of exhaus- ment show. Meanwhile, debt rises. Th e 2006, yet the school enrolled fewer stu- be a more receptive audience.” they had to pass the bar exam — “the tion.” She has long wanted to go to law average amount run up while at one of dents than it did then. Th is summer, before fi rst-year lowest percentage … ever measured.” school; “Erin Brockovich” was one of Minnesota’s four law schools now ex- On legal blogs, law school grads are classes even began, the University of About 11 percent of those who report- her favorite movies as a kid. “I would ceeds $90,000. calling on schools to pull back their St. Th omas off ered a workshop for ad- ed being employed were working part love to make big changes,” she said. “I “In the aggregate, this class is going numbers so their graduates don’t glut mitt ed students called “What can I do time. will have the power to do that with a to have a harder time paying down its the job market. with a law degree?” Students drew a Big-fi rm jobs “just dried up,” Leipold law degree.” debt than classes before it,” said James Minnesota schools say they’re ad- lesser-known profession or area of law, said. Th at also contributed to a 13 per- Although she was accepted at Har- Leipold, the national association’s ex- mitt ing only students they expect to quickly researched it and presented it cent fall in the median pay for recent vard Law School, the Bemidji, Minn., ecutive director. succeed. to their classmates. grads. Th e national median salary for native picked the University of Minne- New law students say they’re aware “We haven’t changed our stan- About 87.6 percent of the class those who reported working full time sota, partly because the U off ered her a of the data, but are sure of their abili- dards,” said Dave Jarzyna, assistant of 2010 had a job — any job — nine was $63,000 for the class of 2010, com- scholarship. ties and hopeful the market will have dean for marketing and recruitment months aft er graduation, according to pared to $72,000 for the class before it. “Harvard would have given me improved by the time they graduate. at Hamline University School of Law. a June report by the National Associa- In part because there are fewer large a lot of great opportunities, but the Several said their goal has never been “We’ve never taken in a larger class to tion for Law Placement. Th at’s a 15- fi rms here, new graduates in Minneso- costs were so substantial and so out of to nab a high-paying job at one of the infl ate our tuition revenue.” year low. ta make less than the national median. reach,” she said. “I didn’t want to go to big law fi rms. Th e schools are responding to pro- “But you have to remember that Minnesota’s median salary for the class a school where I was so strapped with Still, “it is discouraging,” said Cassie spective students’ worry about the students 15 years ago didn’t have the of 2010 was $58,500. debt that I would be forced to work at a Benson, 25, a “1L” at William Mitchell job market by publishing deeper post- same debt,” Leipold said. “A lot of stu- Wallace said it’s good for students big fi rm in New York or L.A. because I College of Law. “Everything on the In- school employment data, matching dents have six-fi gure debt coming out to weigh those numbers: “In addition couldn’t aff ord to work anywhere else.” STUDY: Wars take mental toll on vets JumpJump StartStart McClatchy Tribune Wire Service YourYour Future.Future. WASHINGTON — Nearly 20 percent of the more than 2 million troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan suff er from mental health conditions, according to a new report. Th ey amount to more than half of the 712,000 veterans from both wars who have sought med- ical treatment since leaving military service. Nearly a third of those veterans may suff er from post-traumatic stress disorder, one of the signature injuries of the confl icts. Veterans for Common Sense, a nonprofi t, nonpartisan activist group for veterans’ inter- ests, and health care issues in particular, com- piled the statistics from a raft of government reports. In whitt ling them down to just the bare data, the group created a grim shorthand for the toll the wars have taken on a generation of young men and women. “A large number of people serving overseas have mental health impacts, and more and more are coming home,” said Democratic Sen. Patt y Murray of Washington, the chairwoman of the San Jose State University Senate Committ ee on Veterans’ Aff airs. “I am deeply concerned that we are not ready.” Th e Department of Veterans Aff airs, which Students, Faculty & Staff Are All Eligible To Join! is trying to grapple with the wave of new vet- erans, has been under considerable stress. In a Show us your SJSU Student I.D. at our related development this week, an internal VA * survey requested by Murray’s committ ee found City Centre Branch & receive A FREE GIFT! that its staff doesn’t think it has the resources to handle the growing demand from new veterans  Membership Fee Waived.  Free Financial Education Seminars. for mental health services. Paul Sullivan, the executive director of Vet-  Free Rewards Checking;  Multiple Branch Locations, many erans for Common Sense, said that in 2003, the No minimum balance or conveniently open on Saturdays! government expected that the VA would see Direct Deposit requirement. about 50,000 new patients from both wars. With Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union nearly three-quarters of a million Iraq and Af-  Free Online and Mobile Banking City Centre Branch & ATM ghanistan veterans already in the VA system, he 140 E. San Fernando St., San Jose, CA 95112  Free, unlimited ATM use at said, the long-term estimate was “ominous.” (408) 282-0700 “More than 1 million total patients from the CO-OP network, 7-Eleven Stores http://mobile.sccfcu.org wars by the end of 2013,” Sullivan predicted. and County Federal ATM Locations. www.sccfcu.org His group summarized health care data on veterans based on reports by the VA, the De-  Free Car Buying Service/Auto Loans. *Redeemable only at the City Centre Branch partment of Defense, congressional testimony and its own work over the years. Of the 109,000 casualties since combat in …It’s About Iraq and Afghanistan began, 6,200 troops have been killed. Among those were 298 war-zone derscoring the stress that 10 years of war have Building Relationships suicides, according to the study. Overall, it re- placed on the troops as a result of multiple de- For Life ported 2,300 active-duty suicides since 2001. ployments. In 2009, suicides exceeded deaths in Suicides have been a persistent problem, un- combat. 4 SPORTS Spartan Daily Wednesday, October 5, 2011 Volleyball team fails to overcome two-set deficit, loses to Hornets

by Peter Fournier Th e Hornets then went on a 13 tie and going on a 12-4 run to Staff Writer 5-0 run to start the second set, win their only set on the night. and pulled ahead by as many as The joy of the third set vic- Th e SJSU women’s volleyball 10 points to dominate the set. tory didn’t last long for SJSU, team couldn’t overcome a two- “We really got into a funk,” as the Hornets pulled away set defi cit against Sacramento Crespo said. “We didn’t pass after a tie early on to take the State Tuesday night, falling to well. Service errors were a part fourth set and the match. the Hornets 25-22, 25-17, 18-25 of it too.” Savanah Leaf, a freshman and 25-17 in the Spartan Gym. Despite a fi rst period that left side hitter, led all Spar- “We weren’t passing well featured 15 ties and seven lead tans with 13 kills, and junior enough to be eff ective enough changes, the Spartans failed to middle blocker Alex Akana off ensively,” Spartans coach Os- get either in the second set. notched 11. car Crespo said. “Even though “I think that was indicative Akana said the team we did have players with good of how everything was run- needed to work on its serve att ack numbers, we didn’t put ning through the whole match,” receiving, hitting stronger them in good enough position Crespo said. “When our ball serves and recording more to be much more successful handling was on, that is our aces. than what they were.” fi rst-ball reception, our side out She credited senior de- Aft er the Spartans (6-11, 1-4 was dead on. Th ey couldn’t stay fensive specialist Asia Ca- WAC) tied the match at 22 in the with us on our quick att ack.” sino, who came in for regular fi rst set, the Hornets (4-1, 3-1 Big Th e Spartans rebounded by starter and junior Caitlin An- Sky) went on a 3-0 run to stop the controlling the third set, pulling drade at setter after the first Spartans’ rally and take the set. away with the stanza aft er a 13- set and finished with 31 as- sists, with doing a good job. “She just did whatever she could with the ball,” Akana said. “Even if it was an off pass, she set the ball up and gave our hitters an opportu- nity to put the ball in play.” Casino had only played in 17 match sets compared to Andrade’s 58. Andrade lead SJSU in sets played this season before Senior defensive specialist Asia Casino sets (No. 10) the ball during the Spartans’ loss to Sacramento Tuesday’s match. State in four sets Tuesday night in Spartan Gym. Photo by Vernon McKnight / Spartan Daily Crespo said he was look- ing for a change on the court. “The attackers were not put just to be back on the court. “When our performance is “We were looking for set in the best position to attack. “I miss being out there,” really at a high level, the four selections, perhaps looking At that point, we just needed she said. “It was good to try components we identified to for a little different chemis- to change it a little bit.” and perform and get back in be really needed for our team try out on the court,” he said. Casino said she was glad that rhythm of game mode.” to be successful – ball han- The Spartans will travel to dling, attack, block and serve Honolulu to play No. 9 Ha- ... when those things are on, We really got into a funk. waii Saturday. we’re a team to be really re- Crespo said he won’t let spected and looked at as a the match against the na- tough opponent. “ We didn’t pass well. tionally-ranked and Western “Although it is Hawaii,” he -Oscar Crespo, head coach Athletic Conference stand- said. “That still doesn’t mean Junior middle blocker Alex Akana and sophomore middle blocker ” ings leading Rainbow Wahi- we won’t have those goals for Sarah Griest get crossed up while attempting to play a ball in ne intimidate the team. us.” Tuesday night’s loss. Photo by Vernon McKnight / Spartan Daily Today’s Crossword Puzzle ACROSS Previous Puzzle Solved 1. Make a run for it 5. Buddhist monument 10. Thanksgiving roots 14. Quarter of a quartet, perhaps 15. Type of “colony” or “system” Classified Ad Rates How To 16. Hand cream ingredient Information Sudoku 17. Mental coercion? 19. It may be passed in school Place your ad online at: Place your ads ONLINE through 20. ___ bygones be bygones www.spartandaily.campusave. 21. “... ___ I saw Elba” Campus Ave: 22. Dance where poodle com skirts were often worn Office Hours: 24. Lansing-Detroit dir. http://spartandaily.com/advertising 26. Soak (up), as gravy Monday-Friday 10a.m. - 3p.m. 28. Emulates a judge 29. Dig Bach? Deadline: Just click place classifieds link 33. Ahab’s ship, for one 10 a.m., 2 weekdays prior to and post your ads to the 34. What to do when told to 67. Warsaw or Munich 31. Fort in North Carolina publication date. “beat it!” 68. First name in fragrance 32. Waiting line college classifieds network! 35. Three strokes, sometimes 69. Gumbo ingredient 35. Graphite alternative Rates: 38. Writer Bagnold DOWN 36. “The King ___” 39. Type size or playing One classified, 20 words $5.50 1. “Matilda” author 37. TV/radio personality You can also place marble 2. Out of the storm Seacrest Each additional word $0.39 classifieds through the 41. Say it isn’t so 3. Event for a rural family’s 40. Bad puns, slangily Center entire ad $1.00 42. Hide-hair connector outing, perhaps 41. Sock-mender’s oath? Bold first five words $0.50 Spartan Daily Ad office. Call us 43. Beginning of culture? 4. Coal scuttle 43. Sounds from the mas- 44. “The Last King of Scot- Rates are consecutive days only. at 408.924.3270 or visit us in 5. Item on a cowboy boot seur’s table land” setting 6. Nobel-winning mother 45. Laundry problem All ads are prepaid. No refunds on DBH 209. 46. The Oregon Trail? 7. French article 46. Place for a five and ten? cancelled ads. 48. Stedman’s steady 8. Jet-setter’s document 47. Cartoon Mutant Ninja 51. Sun Devils’ sch. 9. Part of a.k.a. 48. Ready to pour Frequency Discounts: Don’t forget classifieds are 52. Small hotel 10. Arch-foe at Fenway 49. Michelangelo master- 53. Big name in TV ratings 4-15 classifieds 15%off FREE to students! 11. Hello or goodbye piece 55. Part of a crater 12. Driving force? 50. Shroud of Turin, e.g, 16-31 classifieds 30%off 57. Check the water? 13. Passes through slowly 54. Politically incorrect 32+ classifieds 45%off 60. Squeal 18. Farm machinery pioneer suffix Discounts apply to the original base 61. Practice making deduc- 23. Pal 56. Groundless, as rumors tions? rate, plus the cost of extras. Previous Puzzle Solved How to Play 25. Realtor’s sign of success 58. State point-blank 64. “Two silkworms raced. 27. Gives ministerial 59. Southwest sight Complete the grid They ended in ___.” authority 62. Obedience school SJSU Student Rate: 65. Voice lesson topic so that every row, 29. Singer Stefani command Free! Discount applies to student’s 66. Basic change 30. Cry of exasperation 63. Associate of Tigger individual ad only. 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In the 1980 song “Zion Train” by think that these people were spending Also, our constant need to buy bad as the next person as I wear my Happiness Bob Marley, the reggae legend sings, their hard-earned money on objects more stuff can be centered on the illu- brand new clothes while typing away “Don’t gain the world and lose your they could most likely live without. sion that by gett ing these hip objects, on my MacBook and checking my soul / Wisdom is bett er than silver In an age where every person has a those around us will become instantly email on my iPhone. and gold.” smartphone and owns as many brand- infatuated with us or we will become Th e diff erence is that I value many does not Marley may have writt en these name items as possible, our country instantly popular. things over these material objects. words more than 30 years ago, but is quickly becoming detached and de- And let me tell you right now – if My relationships with friends and they are more relevant today than sensitized. you are basing your friends and re- family, my education, my job and my they have ever been. Companies have managed to con- lationships on what you own or buy, health all rank much higher than the Last weekend, I drove the two vince us that we simply cannot survive you have bigger problems. new pair of shoes in my closet. If I come with hours east to Escalon, Calif., where without their products, and while that Th e fact that these addictions start had to choose what I wanted in my my best friend’s family participated may be because of a brilliant advertis- early on in life doesn’t make the situa- life, the decision would be an easy in one of the biggest yard sales I ing campaign, the blame also rests on tion any bett er. one. have ever seen. our gullible natures. Over the summer, I worked as a What disturbs me is that many a price tag Households pay $10 and get their Ads tell us how much bett er our camp counselor for kids ages 5 to 12 people could not easily say the same address listed on a map, for bargain lives would be with said items and and was surprised to learn that some thing. In our current society, the ma- hunters to visit and shop in the city- we nod our heads in agreement as we of the youngest ones had cellphones. jority of citizens are so plugged in wide garage sale. salivate over the thought of having the What the heck does an 8-year-old and addicted to the objects they buy By While I had a blast selling my old next best thing. kid need a cellphone for? that they simply believe life would clothes for a dollar apiece as I spent Th e main argument for this shift It has become more apparent then be unmanageable without them. Jaimie time with my friend, the day-long in behavior is convenience and att en- ever that our society has become ob- Th ough it would certainly never Collins shopping spree had me considering tion. Th e newest gadgets on the market sessed with the materialistic lifestyle, happen, I think it would do the world how materialistic people have be- come with tools that make it so the user oft en believing that the next best thing a ton of good if our society could come. rarely has to lift more than a fi nger — will make their life more complete. gain a litt le perspective and realize As I negotiated prices with shop- directions, Internet connectivity and Not that I can say I am immune that there are bett er things out there pers of all ages, I couldn’t help but email are all made easily accessible. to this rising fi xation – I am just as than items with a price tag. Television: Dulling the minds of our youth From the moment Posey went down, read by Marie Winn, titled “Th e 1957, 78 percent of families owned the Giants had little chance to repeat Plug-in Drug.” TV sets; and by 1964, almost every- By Statistics show that children who one — 92 percent. Aliza are under the age of 6 watch 32 hours From the SAT score decline given Th e bott om line was that Posey Saeed of television a week and children be- in Winn’s book, one can conclude By was out for the season and the Gi- tween the ages of 6 to 8 watch about that TV had something to do with Scott ants’ off ensive production seemed to 24 hours of television a week. children’s verbal abilities because plummet without him. Winn said studies are conducted of the steady increase in television Semmler To make matt ers worse, the most Most students spend their days to discover whether television com- ownership year aft er year from 1950s consistent Giants hitt er, Freddy San- both working or att ending classes mercials make children greedy and and on. chez, and their biggest power threat, and yearn for the moment to just get materialistic or, as some have sug- Evidently, the number just kept Pablo Sandoval, also went down with home and get started on the home- gested, generous and spiritual. increasing and so did the low scores It is tough to say how the San injuries. work and then hit the sack to start all Th e eff ects that something as sim- and we wonder why we have less Francisco Giants would have ended Sanchez was lost for the season, over again the next day. ple as a television can produce are time these days in our so-called “fast up this year had everything gone ac- and Sandoval was injured for six Not really. not as minor as they may seem. paced” lives. cording to plan. weeks. Th ey don’t look forward to do- It’s not the radio waves coming Now this is just a statistical fact A team coming off an improbable So San Francisco’s three best hit- ing school work even though they from the television that aff ect the on how television spread like a dis- World Series championship, already ters all had stints on the injury wag- are supposed to do it with the tiny human brain — it is the content on ease all over the country, but there’s with targets on their back, loses their on. However, what it aff ected most amount of time they have left in the television. plenty more where this comes from. best, second best and third best play- was the team’s morale. their day. Th e actual nature of television and Television didn’t just make chil- ers to injury all in one season. Th ey were lost without their best Now, I know doing homework is what it can do to the mind is rarely dren dumber over the years, it also Bad luck? hitt ers. not the fi rst thing students think of considered and children these days induced violent behavior, material- Nope, it’s baseball. You might as well have stopped when they get home. are mentally conditioned through ism, fetishes and laziness. What a year for the Giants. Com- the Giants’ season there. Th e fi rst thing is either turning on television more than before. For example, I see my nieces and ing into the season, the sky was the Yes, they competed well enough to the TV or eating. Parents do not realize that by nephews, and they would rather limit. Th at was until reality showed stay in contention halfway through Sep- Americans function so they get turning that switch on, they turn watch TV than play or do anything up in the form of Scott Cousins. tember, but the fact that there was no of- everything done throughout the day, their child’s switch off , hence putt ing else around the house. Th e Bay Area native can no lon- fense meant it was just a matt er of time but at the end of the day, it is all them in a trance which slowly causes Sometimes I have to tell myself to ger show his face in San Francisco. before the season would slowly spiral about de-stressing and unraveling all a long-term eff ect on their kids. just spend the whole day studying, He put his house up for sale, and was into disappointment. the tensions that build up through- In Winn’s book, she mentions because I know that even if I plan on even publicly called out by Giants’ Th e result of the numerous injuries out the day of walking and running that in a range from 200 to 800 SAT “only” watching one recorded show, general manager Brian Sabean, ques- was one of the worst off enses in the ma- around. points, the average scores went from it ends up being a movie on HBO and tioning his controversial actions. jor leagues, and a team relying solely on It’s just one of those things that 478 in 1964 to 424 in 1980, which is a then there goes three hours slipped Cousins is, of course, the Florida its pitching. you have to do if you have a TV in drop of 54 points. right out of my hands. Marlins player who att empted to For the record, that strategy does not your house, and most people do. She said people thought it was I am not trying to persuade every- score a run at home plate in a vicious work. Aft er all, thanks to Philo Taylor because of the immigrants who were one to stop watching TV. collision with catcher — and the Gi- How far would the Giants have gone Farnsworth, it is one of the greatest coming from other countries at the I just want to let it be known that ants’ heart and soul — Buster Posey. if the team was fully healthy? inventions. time but that is not the case because watching too much of it can not only Posey suff ered a broken leg and No one really knows, but it would Since the ’50s, American televi- children who were born and raised cause depression, sleep deprivation, Cousins was run out of town, and have been bett er than what actually did sion has become more and more here along with minorities had bad decreased productivity and self es- possibly baseball. occur. popular in American society. SAT scores around the peak of tele- teem issues, but leave less time to do Cousins did nothing wrong As much as Sabean and others in As mentioned above, the fi rst aes- vision (1960s). other things in life, such as home- though, he simply collided with a the front offi ce tried to save the season thetic thing that appeals to a typical Aft er the late ’50s, the TV-set work. catcher blocking him from scoring a by making trades and acquisitions, the American upon entering his or her ownership increased rapidly in For some people, TV is a neces- game-winning run. Posey happened damage was already done. Th e toll the home is the television. American households and kept in- sity, just like food, water and cell- to be in the way and in the wrong injuries took on this team was enough If television can aff ect a typical creasing internationally as well. phones. place at the wrong time. to send them back substantially, both adult’s life, imagine what it can do According to Winn’s book, in I’ve tried going without it for a Th e rules clearly state that a physically and mentally. to a child. 1950, fewer than 8 percent of Ameri- week and it’s really hard, but the catcher can block the plate, but at his Th e Posey injury was a blow to the My guiding light toward my main can families owned TV sets; by 1954, results are amazing because well … own discretion. Th at means Posey morale of this team and they could never point comes from a book I recently more than half had televisions; by you get so much more done! was entitled to stand in front of come back from it, no matt er how much home plate, but Cousins was also en- it looked like they would make the play- titled to knock him senseless, which off s. If television can affect a typical adult’s life, he did. Th e Giants will be back in conten- Whether Cousins deserved to be tion next year, but this was one frus- “ imagine what it can do to a child. run out of the Bay Area is part of a trating, injury-plagued season in San ” whole diff erent column. Francisco.

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Editorial Staff Contributing Writers Staff Writers Senior Staff Photographers Advertising Staff Advisers Francisco Rendon, Executive Kyle Szymanski Jeff rey Cianci Jesse Jones Sam Canchola, Ad Director Richard Craig, News Editor Joey Akeley Anastasia Crosson Vernon McKnight Ryan Genzoli, Assistant Ad Mack Lundstrom, News Matthew Gerring, Managing Nick Celario Brian O’Malley Director Jan Shaw, News Editor Student Advisers Peter Fournier Virginia Ochi, Creative Director Kim Komenich, Photo Jack Barnwell, Photo Editor Jaimie Collins Jeremy Infusino Staff Photographers Adriane Harcourt, Assistant Tim Hendrick, Advertising Nic Aguon, Production Editor K.L. Perry Cynthia Ly Nick Rivelli Creative Director Tim Burke, Production Chief Leo Postovoit, Production/Tech Chris Marian Jasper Rubenstein Omar Alvarado Tim Mitchell, Design Editor Senior Staff Writers Christina Molina Dorian Silva Justin Acosta Pat Wallraven, Manager Ron Gleeson, Sports Editor Melissa Sabile Britt any Patt erson Pauline Babakhan Wesley Dugle, A&E Editor Leonard Lai Aliza Saeed Contributing Photographers Amanda Fuller Nate Morott i, Opinion Editor Sonia Ayala Scott Semmler Stan Olszewski Mike Matt oon Margaret Baum Opinion Editor Angelica Valera Jason Reed Jerry Kam Ryan Fernandez, Copy Editor Danreb Victorio Raphael Kluzniok Martina Long Daniel Herberholz, Copy Editor Jackson Wright Dung Tran Th omas Webb, Multimedia Distribution Delicia Wijaya Editor DaMarlynn Wright Jenny Yu David Araujo 6 A&E Spartan Daily Wednesday, October 5, 2011

 COMMENTARY Discussion: Have recent movies lost originality? Hollywood has lost its touch in film Industry still produces quality work

ample. Th e 2001 reboot of the 1968 classic was “Transformers” was based off the toys and by Danreb Victorio simply OK. As good as this movie was, it didn’t by Scott Semmler television show. Staff Writer Staff Writer have to come out. How the story is told is what makes a mov- “Scream 4” was another useless release. Th e ie original. “Harry Pott er and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.” third fi lm that supposedly ended the trilogy Th ere has been a growing trend in Holly- If fi lmmakers can take an old idea and tell “Transformers: Dark of the Moon.” made watchers think Sidney Prescott fi nally wood these days. that story well, it will att ract an audience. “Th e Hangover Part II.” wasn’t going to be stalked anymore. Obviously According to a study done by New York People go to the movies to be entertained, and “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.” that wasn’t the case. Magazine, one out of every three movies was original and unoriginal movies alike do that “Fast Five.” Every movie I mentioned was a sequel. None an unoriginal fi lm in 2010. Th ere will also be job. Other than four of the fi ve movies having of them had to be made. more unoriginal fi lms released over the next It is one thing to remake the superhero Bat- ridiculously long titles, what can be said about Without questioning the actual content in year than ever before. man, it is another to come up with original all of them? any of these movies, what kind of college stu- First things fi rst, unoriginal fi lms refer to ways to transform that superhero into an en- For starters, they’re all sequels. dent would spend their hard earned money on those movies that simply piggyback on an- tirely diff erent character with a totally diff er- Of these fi ve sequels, four of them are a part sequels to fi lms that came out more than a de- other idea that was produced previous to that ent plot line and grab the att ention of a whole of a trilogy or something bigger. cade ago? current movie. diff erent audience. According to statistics provided by boxof- Trilogies might make sense, but fourth and Th ey include sequels, books made into Re-imaginings and sequels of movies are fi ce.com, each of these fi lms grossed more than fi ft h entries? movies, remakes and historical events. simply a trend in today’s fi lm industry — $200 million. At least Dreamworks knew they were go- Some examples over the past year have nothing more and nothing less. With that, it’s no secret that America loves ing to make three more Shrek movies aft er the been the superhero fi lm fad that included Hollywood is still coming up with new sto- their sequels and rehashed fi lms. original movie’s release. A lot of these other “Iron Man 2,” “Th or,” “Captain America” and rylines and plots to distance itself from mak- Th e release of these fi lms makes me won- fi lms are uncalled for. “Green Lantern” to name a few. ing just another remake. der if there is any originality left in Hollywood What kind of director would even fathom Th ese movies have been made aft er the Th ese movies entertain, if nothing else. We anymore. creating more entries to fi lms that aren’t even comic book origins of these characters and are arguably seeing more visually entertain- “Th e Deathly Hallows” was defi nitely need- that great in the fi rst place? follow much of the same storylines, but in- ing movies today than ever before, and it has ed to put an end to the Harry Pott er movie Th e answer to that one is easy. troduce a new modern-day twist to the idea, nothing to do with originality. It has to do franchise, but was it really necessary to divide Take Disney for instance. Th ey bought Mar- which is where Hollywood’s originality comes with how well Hollywood is telling that story the last book into two? Book seven wasn’t even vel, responsible for three hero movies released into play. and constantly coming up with bett er ways to the longest book in the series. this summer. Hollywood seems to be taking a bad rap for turn a remake into a movie that is that much Aft er the terror that was “Transformers: Re- “We believe that adding Marvel to Disney’s seemingly showing a lack of originality these bett er. venge of the Fallen,” why make “Dark of the unique portfolio of brands provides signifi cant days. Today’s age of fi lm may be the best yet, no Moon?” Th at name doesn’t even make sense. opportunities for long-term growth and value Is Hollywood really lacking originality, matt er how unoriginal it may seem. “Th e Hangover” did not need a sequel. Los- creation,” Disney president Bob Iger said aft er though? ing your fi ancée’s litt le brother in Bangkok is the Marvel acquisition. It is unoriginal to make a movie off another hardly funnier than losing your best friend in In other words, they’re in it for the money. idea, but original to take that idea, give it a Vegas. Disney classics are released temporarily diff erent storyline and present it to a whole Neither did we need a fourth “Pirates” mov- from the “Disney Vault” all the time, and this diff erent audience? ie — how many times does Jack Sparrow have allows the company to control all their prices. You cannot argue with the fact that some of to survive? Th is process is called moratorium, and with the highest-grossing movies ever made were And in regards to “Fast Five,” let’s just say home entertainment, Disney has been the only called unoriginal. the “Th e Fast and the Furious” ran out of gas studio practicing this strategy. Th e biggest money makers in fi lm to date when it Tokyo drift ed its way into obscurity. “Th e Lion King 3D” grossed more than $76 are “Avatar,” “Titanic,” “Harry Pott er and the Not only has Hollywood become unoriginal, million, and it’s only been out for a month. On Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” “Lord of the Rings: Comment on this story online but it’s become obvious that they’re in it for the top of that, the Blu-ray just came out on Tues- Th e Return of the King” and “Transformers: money, especially in the summer where mov- day. Dark of the Moon.” spartandaily. iegoers had become foolish enough to want America’s top six grossing fi lms this year so “Avatar” is reportedly based off of several com/?p=43691 to watch random sequels to avoid the blazing far are all sequels. comic series put together, “Harry Pott er” was heat. Hollywood is emptying our wallets by fool- based off the book and a sequel, “Lord of the Take “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” for ex- ing us into thinking all this old stuff is new. Rings” was based off the book and a sequel,and

 REVIEW AND COMMENTARY A night at the opera: ‘Idomeneo’ delights, dazzles audiences

val, conducted the orchestra in by Anastasia Crosson a way only one well-versed in Staff Writer Mozart could have. I was enam- ored. It was opening night, the As lengthy as a three-hour curtains were drawn and the production may be, this wasn’t lights in California Th eater one that would have you check- were dimmed just enough for ing your watch or mentally the gold foil detailing around going over your to-do list for the stage to appear as if it were Monday. In fact, with each act glowing. theater-goers audibly “wow”- Conductor George Cleve, ed at the constantly changing was directing us, the au- sets, richly hued costumes and dience, in a pre-show impeccable vocal performances sing-along of the national an- which were sang with equal vi- them. brato from the fi rst scene to the As theater-goers clad in last. gowns, opera coats and the In the third act, the curtains Alexander Boyer (middle) plays the title role of the Opera San Jose production of Mozart’s “Idomeneo.” Photo courtesy of Opera San Jose other costumery of the bour- opened to reveal a fl oor-to-ceil- geoisie lift ed their voices to the ing construction of a set which Sunday, Sept. 18, and Sunday, by a donation to the Humani- rience you need to have, and As both a library for the art deco raft ers, the acoustics any discerning eye could see Sept. 25. ties honors program from Mar- it puts our class readings into public and SJSU, these perfor- made these amateurs (myself was inspired by the true Temple According to Cynthia Ros- cia and Hank Lawson. perspective.” mances are open to all and are included) sound almost oper- of Knossos. It was not a histori- tankowski, director of the Hu- According to Rostankowski, Th e opera production sets free to att end. Each event is a atic. Th e last eight bars played cally accurate rendering of the manities honors program, the the Lawsons have been long- alluded to the art of antiquity mix of arias from the opera by the orchestra reverberated. ancient temple on the island of cohort of about 250 students in time supporters of the program with replicated interpretations performers (oft en sung acap- We applauded and I knew I was Crete, but the period-specifi c the program focus on antiquity as Marcia Lawson herself was of the Temple of Knossos and pella) and a panel discussion in for a treat. detailing in the temple columns studies in the fi rst semester and once a Humanities honors stu- a Minoan bull-leaping fresco, about the production. Perform- Th at treat being an Opera and earthy red and sand tones baroque studies in the second dent at SJSU, where she ma- both of which appear in the ers discuss their interpretation San Jose production of “Idome- were close to any picture of the semester. jored in music. texts used in the Humanities of centuries-old characters and neo” by Mozart, a tale of King real deal. Set in Ancient Greece, “When we have this ex- honors program. composers and discuss their Idomeneo’s paternal love and a At this point a man to my “Idomeneo” is about antiquity. traordinary opportunity for interpretation of opera scores forbidden romance between the right leaned over to his com- Mozart, the respective com- the gift of funding, it will en- A LAYMAN’S EDUCATION IN OPERA from the greatest composers prince of Crete, Idamante, and panion to whisper, “Th ey re- poser, wrote this opera during rich (the students) lives in the AND THE FINE ARTS ever known. the captured princess, Ilia, from ally plunged some money into the Baroque period of the 18th future,” Rostankowski said. “It Speaking on music and art the rival civilization of Troy. this one didn’t they?” — I was century. gives students a chance to re- Opera San Jose productions from periods of antiquity to Christina Major, singing the thinking the same thing. “Th e (Humanities honors) ally cultivate that part of life- encourages an educational ex- baroque, each Opera San Jose part of Elett ra — a princess vy- program is comprehensive, and long learning and have a rich- perience. vocal performance is both food ing for the att ention of Idam- A TRIP TO THE OPERA SAN JOSE I think its great because we get er, more varied experience of Prior to the opening of each for thought and food for the ante — belted out a solo aria in the opportunity to see an op- contemporary culture.” production, Opera San Jose soul. Th e same can be said, as it front of the drawn stage curtain SJSU Humanities honors era,” said Griffi th, a sophomore “It’s a very exceptional op- resident company members, as will be said here, for Opera San so close to the audience it felt students visited California Th e- majoring in Humanities and portunity to be in the program well as visiting performers and Jose’s production of “Idome- like intimate girl-talk. George ater, on First Street in down- Spanish. and for someone to donate conductors, host a vocal perfor- neo” — a feast for the eyes, ears Cleve, also a music director of town San Jose, to view matinee Th is was Griffi th’s fi rst op- money,” Griffi th said. “(Th e mance in the Dr. Martin Luther and intellect served in three the Midsummer Mozart Festi- performances of “Idomeneo” on era experience, made possible opera) is a fundamental expe- King Jr. Library at SJSU. acts.