Mustang Daily, April 25, 2008
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Volume LXXI Friday Number 129 Mustang DailyApril 25, 2(X)8 mustangdaiiy.net INSIDE NEWS Concerns over possible Saudi partnership surfoce in town hail meeting Aaron Gaudette and sexual orientations are still considered MUSTANti DAll.Y taboo. Political science junior Angela Kramer Cal Poly studcMits voiced tht*ir concerns voiced such sentiments by likening sepa ^ ’-.fA»... After much criticism, over a potential faculty exchange program rate classrooms for the sexes to the “separate China cracks down on on Thursday in a town hall-style meeting but equal” doctrine that governed America its security for Olympic that featured a six-member panel, including for almost a century, both students and the Games. C'al Poly President Warren llaker. panel participated in the response. page 3 “Such programs have been a part of C'al “Someone has to cross the bridge, but Poly for many years,” liaker said. “We need you can’t cross it with arrogance or hostil ARTS to be sure that such programs are forward- ity,” said Lori Atwater, a general engineer looking and allow for significant opportuni ing junior. “We have to engage them with ties to hasten the development of our own humility, and they have to want to ask ques engineering prtigrams.” tions of us. We can’t assume that our way is At issue is the controversial proposed the best way.” faculty exchange program between C'al Poly “Promoting our views is a gradual pro andjubail University C'ollege ()UC7 in Sau cess that won’t be adopted overnight,” added di Arabia. Many of the concerns originate Dean Mohammad Noori of the C'ollege of with the conservative nature of Saudi cul Engineering. “It took us over 200 years to LAUREN RABAINO MUSTANG DAII.Y ture, whereby men and women are taught Panel members discuss the controversial faculty exchange pro Harold and Kumar, those in separate classrooms and certain religions see Saudi, page 2 gram between Cal Poly and a Jubail University College. loveable stoner-slackers, return for another comedic w film, out in theaters today. page 6 Students use silence to show LGBT support SPORTS Sara Wright “It echoes the sil <ce caused by changes yearly according to what is Pride C'enter. MUSTANti DAll.Y the trauma of society,” said Megan most appixYpriate and convenient for Nonetheless, the task was diff icult. O ’Sullivan, a business sophomore and ('al Poly students and faculty. Today “It’s really hard to keep quiet all day,” Students across campus held their member of the campus Pride CYmter. marks the oft'icial National Day of Si said A.J. Rusk, a biology sophomore tongues Wednesday, not in spite or “It’s a way to spread visibility.” lence for most other campuses aixTund and a member of the Pride Outer. shame, but rather in protest of LCiBT O ’Sullivan has participated in the the country. Every National Day of Silence ends oppression. event since she was in high school, and Participants in the Day of Silence with a “breaking of the silence,” which C'ol Poly took part in the 12th an she said everyone is encouraged to par were still allowed to speak in class, as often includes an event calling for ac- nual National 1 )ay of Silence, held by ticipate, includingLC jBT allies. the event is not meant to interfea* with rion against anti-LCiBT issues. Cal I’oly The Cal Poly baseball high school and college students every The Pride Center — which pro a student’s education. ended the day with a 6 p.m. showing of team, which has won year to spa*ad awaR'iiess of anti-LCiBT motes education and celebration of the While many students at other ‘ Brokeback Mountain” in the San Luis eight of 11, hosts UC (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) LGBT community by coordinating schools hand out speaking cards ex Lounge of the University Union, fol Santa Barbara tonight. issues, including harassment, bullying programs and services for campus — plaining their silence in classrooms, C'al lowed by a discussion. page 12 and assault. People across the country supports the National Day of Silence Poly students wea* pmvided with sup This year’s official Day of Silence every year. ONLINE remain silent all day to honor the ef port pins, at which students may point is in memory of Lawrence King, a fects of the experiences LCiBTs often The exact diy the campus com for clarification when asked about their undergo. memorates the occasion, however, silence. The pins were available at the see Silence, page 2 A LA County transit The new beer pongofficials in favor of Go online and listen to what students and faculty said at the Saudi Arabia freeway toll lanes program open forum. mustangdaily.net Daisy Nguyen ASSOnATED PRES.S LCTS ANGELES — The fteeway may soon not he so five in the land of the automobile. WEEKEND WEATHER Los Angeles County transit officials voted Thursday to support a plan that would charge drivers tolls to use some freeway lanes. The federal government recently offered $213.6 million to the Metropcrlitan Transportation Authority to help convert some carpool lanes to toll lanes in an effort to reduce congestion during busy hours as well as S unny fund transportation improvements. High 757LOW 47* The MTA hoard voted to execute an agreement with the US. Department ofTransportation that would introduce toll lanes to stretches of Intcrstatt^s 10 and 210, INDEX MTA spokesman Dave SoteaY said. LtKal officials, the state Legislature and the C'alifor- Arts............................... 6 nia Transportition Commission would have to aga*e to Sports........................12 the changes before the pniject could begin, Sotea) said. Opinion ........................ 8 The federal offer requia*s that the lanes be implemented Classifieds............... 11 by 2010. Sudoku.........................9 The TransporfcUion Department offered the money Crossword.................. 9 NICK CAMACHO m u s t a n g d a il y after New York lawmakers rejected a plan to charge Com ics.........................9 Students demonstrate their Beirut skills at the Root Beer Pong Tournament held by the drivers extra tolls to enter Manhattan’s most congested Movies......................... 5 Smart Students Smart Choices organization on Mott Lawn Thursday. neighborhoods. see Tolls, page 2 News editors: Sara Hamilton, (íiana Magnoli nuistangdailynewsit/ gmail.coiii M us I ANC D am Y' Friday, April 25, 200S www.iiiusitaiigdaily.iiet ; N ews interests, perhaps in the bii>me(.lical tields. I he v.ilue ot etluca- norni.il. nondiscnmin.itorv selection process, and go to S.iudi Saudi tion outweighs the possible thre.its that come along with it." .Ar.ibi.i to .issist in .1 non-teaching capacits. amtinufd from I "Si) you're essentially saying that you're not worried .ibout 1 he p.inel also recommended th.it .inv |ew ish or homose.x- it?" the student asked. u.il facults sent .ibro.id should conduct theinselws in a discreet ivali/c tlut siK'h .1 docMi’t wtirk, and wo’iv still “ 1 teel that, while technology couki be used to hurt us, it tashion and not overly "Haunt" such ch.ir.icteristics. 1 hey also bating taboos against gavs that just started to go awav 3d years probably would be used to help us," 1 )urgin responded after a recommended following U.S. state dep.irtment directives of ob ago. We lu \e to use .1 eombination ot engagement, dialogue, laugh. serving Saudi customs. p.itienee and etlort.” The panel addressed the chief issue of w hether the societal rhe panel finished the session by atfirming their commit Another provocative issue was addresseii when a student norms in S.uidi Arabia woukl lead to a discriminatory faculty ment to ensuring that any faculty sent abroad be safely housed, pointed out that the engineering program taught by Clal I’oly selection process for the project, .is well as possible discrimina cared for, and kept free from discrimination. c(.)uld help dewlop weapons, which pose a danger ti; the U.S. tion w bile working in Saudi Arabia. “There's enormous valife in having an environment with w hen in the hands ot autocratic Saudi Arabia. I'anelists noted that the proposed contract includes a termipeople of diverse perspectives,” said Kd Sullivan, associate dean “I believe that an educated citizenry is better than an igiu>- nation clause that would be triggered should |UC'. reject any for the (k)llege of Fngineering. "Nothing will change if vve rant citizenry,” brtrvost Whlliam Durgin responded. “ It could be faculty for anything other than performance criteria or qualifi don’t; the U.S. global education enterprise doesn’t reach out and used tor such purposes, but it could also be used to pursue other cations. The faculty selected for the project would undergo the engage other countries. W/e have to be informal ambassadors." market forces to keep trafric frowing range frxim $1.20 to $10, said Orange Network (CiLSEN),a national orga Tolls by discouraging some people ftxiin C?ounty' Transportation Authority Silence nization that works to ensure safety continued from page I driving during busy times. Opponents spokesman Joti Zlotnik. Using the continued from page 1 for all students, regardless of se.xual argue it’s an unfair tax on commut lanes at 3 a.m. weekdays costs $1.20, orientation or gender identity, in “We have a golden opportunity ers who already pay taxes to use the but the fee rises to $10 at 3 p.m. on 15-year-old student of E.O. (îreen schools across the country. here,” Sotem said. roads. Fridays. Junior High School in Oxnard. In A 2(K)5 National School C.limate (Charging drivers fees in congest The MTA has not determined the The roughly 177,(HK) motorists February, King was shot and killed Survey by CiLSEN found that four ed city' centers is a concept that has fees or whether to allow solo drivers who use the 91 E.xpress Lanes pay an by a 14-year-old classmate because of five LCÎBT students report ver gained popularity' around the w'orld.